liili 


UCSB  LIBRARY 


EXPOSITION  AND  DEFENCE 


€)5()-iell0iu0!]ip. 


'  Odd-Fellows,  when  together  met, 
Are  not,  perhaps,  so  odd  a  set 

As  many  people  say  ; 
Unless,  indeed,  it  odd  may  be, 
That  they  should  meet  for  charity, 

And  conscience  take  for  pay.' 

GEM. 


BY  DARIUS    FORBES. 


BOSTON: 

B.      B.     MUSSEY,     29     COHNHILL 

LOWELL: 
POWERS    &    BAGLEV,    23    CENTRAL    ST. 

18  4  5. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress  in  the  year 

1845, 

Bv  Darius  Forbes, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of 
Massachusetts. 


J.  N.  BANG,  Pr.,  40  Cornhill. 


MECHANICS    AND    OBERLIN 

Cobges  of  5.  ©.  of  ©.  if.  in  Cotuell, 

THIS    LITTLE    VOLUME 

IS    RESPECTFULLY    INSCRIBED    AS 

A    TOKEN    OF    THE 

GRATITUDE     THE       AUTHOR      CHERISHES, 

FOR    THE 

NUMEROUS    MANIFESTATIONS 

OF    THEIR   FRIENDSHIP   AND    CONFIDENCE, 

WHICH    THEY    HAVE 

SO    GENEROUSLY    AND    KINDLY 

BESTOWED    UPON    HIM. 

D.  F. 


Pnface. 


This  little  work  was  undertaken,  in 
consequence  of  the  deep  and  fervent  in- 
terest the  author  feels,  in  the  institution 
of  Odd-Fellowship,  and  from  a  sincere 
and  earnest  desire  to  have  its  true  char- 
acter understood,  and  its  objects  and  pur- 
poses duly  appreciated,  both  by  those 
who  may  be  disposed  to  become  mem- 
bers, and  the  community  at  large. 

It  has  been  the  aim,  in  the  preparation 
of  this  book,  to  study  both  unity  and  bre- 
vity, in  as  great  a  degree,  as  the  nature 
of  the  subject  will  admit,  and  as  is  con- 
sistent with  its  aims  and  objects.  No  la- 
bor or  pains  have  been  spared,  to  make 
it  of  practical  utility  to  the  brotherhood. 
It  has  been  the  design  to  present  a  clear 
and  distinct  view  of  the  character  of  the 
institution,  in  its  several  relations  and 
bearings,  for  the  instruction  of  brothers, 
and  to  afford  them  the  means  of  present- 
ing those  around  them,  with  distinct  con- 


ceptions  of  our  institution,  against  which 
there  exists  much  prejudice,  in  many 
minds,  much  of  which,  it  is  believed,  may 
be  removed,  by  a  simple  exposition  of  its 
character  and  methods  of  operation. 

If  this  little  w^ork  shall  contribute  any 
thing  to  the  instruction  or  edification  of 
the  members  of  our  fraternity  ;  toward 
giving  the  unitiated,  as  well  as  the  initia- 
tiated,  more  just  and  distinct  conceptions 
of  the  nature,  character,  aims  and  pur- 
poses of  our  beloved  Order,  or  do  any 
thing  toward  allaying  the  prejudices  of 
any  mind  against  it,  it  M^ill  afford  the  au- 
thor the  most  sincere  gratification. 

D.    F. 

Lowell,  April  1845. 

Note.  This  little  book  is  inscribed  to  the  Me- 
chanics and  Oberlin  Lodges,  while  there  are  two 
sister  Lodges  in  the  same  city.  This  is  not  done 
on  account  of  any  want  of  respect  for  the  other 
Lodges  ;  but  because  the  author  feels  under  peculiar 
obligations  to  these  Lodges  for  personal  and  espe- 
cial favors  received  from  them  as  Lodges. 


CONTENTS. 


PREFACE, -----  5 

CHAPTER     I. 

Introduction,  -         -         _         _     9 

CHAPTER    II. 

The  Institution  of  Odd-Fellowship 
considered  in  its  pecuniary  charac- 
ter, -----         18 

CHAPTER    III. 

The  Institution  of  Odd-Fellowship 
considered  in  its  social  character,      29 

CHAPTER    IV. 

The  Institution  of  Odd-Fellowship 
considered  in  its  moral  and  religious 
character,    -         -         _         _         -     39 

CHAPTER     V. 

Objections  to  the  Institution  of  Odd- 
Fellowship  considered,      -         -         48 

1.  Secret  Institution— 2.  Selfish  in  its  char- 
acter—3.  Dangerous  to  the  community — 
4.  Little  regard  is  paid  to  the  rules  of  the 
Order  bv  its  members. 


VIU  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    VI. 

Conclusion,     -         -         -        -         -    67 

APPENDIX. 

List  of  Lodges,  etc.,     -        -        -        75 


(!J^^-^M^l^,A 


i\y  b  \v  V IV 


OlIjQptcr  3.- 


INTRODUCTION. 

'  Wkex  nature  first  sprang  into  life, 
And  all  was  fresh  with  youth, 
The  first  instruction  man  received, 
Was  "  Friendship,  Love  and  Truth."  ' 

OEM. 

Odd-Fellowship  is  an  institution 
which  has  attracted  little  attention,  un- 
til within  a  few  years.  This  is  especi- 
ally true  with  reference  to  the  United 
States.  In  Europe,  it  has  been  longer 
known.  Recently,  however,  it  has  se- 
cured the  attention  of  the  whole  coun- 
try, and  all  classes  of  our  citizens  are 
watching  its  operations  with  intense 
interest,  to  determine  whether  its  in- 
fluence upon  society  is  to  be  for  good  or 
for  evil,  for  the  weal  or  for  the  woe  of 


10      AN    EXPOSITION    AND    DEFENCE 

mankind.  But  amid  all  the  conflictin*;^ 
opinions  which  prevail  in  relation  to  il, 
the  institution  has  prospered,  and  is 
now  prosperintr  in  a  decree  almost 
without  a  parallel,  in  the  history  of  in- 
stitutions reputed  as  secret. 

Whatever  may  be  the  cause  of  the 
present  prosperity  of  this  institution, 
one  thing  is  certain,  and  that  is,  that 
no  good  and  true  man  can  become  ac- 
quainted with  its  character  and  opera- 
tions, Avithout  forming  a  strong  attach- 
ment for  it.  So  noble  and  excellent 
are  its  principles,  and  so  beneficent 
and  kind  are  its  objects  and  purposes, 
that  it  must  secure  the  affections  of 
every  generous  and  elevated  mind, 
that  forms  an  acquaintance  with  it. 

But  however  pure  and  exalted,  noble 
and  excellent  the  principles,  or  kind, 
beneficent  and  generous  the  objects  of 
an  institution,  reputed  to  be  secret  in 
its  operations,  it  is  apt  to  be  regarded 
in  a  false  light,  both  by  the  community 
and  many  of  its  members  even — such  as 
are  not  accustomed  to  look  into  the 
nature  and  character  of  things,  or  have 
been  drawn  into  the  institution,  by 
the  consideration  of  one  of  its  features, 
as  too  many,  undoubtedly,  have  been. 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  II 

Prejudice,  on  the  one  hand,  prevents- 
many  persons  from  examining  into  the 
claims  of  any  institution,  regarded  as 
secret  in  its  operations  ;  or  if  such  per- 
sons pretend  to  enter  into  an  examina- 
tion of  the  character  and  operations  of 
such  an  institution,  all  its  principles 
and  acts  are  viewed  through  a  mist,, 
and  are,  of  course,  distorted  and  dis- 
iigured,  so  that  nothing  is  presented  in 
its  true  position  or  viewed  in  its  true 
character,  relations  and  bearings. 

So,  on  the  other  hand,  too  many  per- 
sons, from  a  mere  desire  to  look  behind 
the  veil  of  secrecy  which  is  drawn 
around  our  meetings  and  their  doingSy 
are  induced  to  seek  admittance,  with- 
out one  thought  of  securing  any  realy 
essential  and  substantial  benefits,  from 
the  institution,  except  so  far  as  they 
may  receive  aid,  in  a  pecuniary  way^ 
in  case  of  sickness  and  distress. 

It  is  on  this  account,  that  we  so  often 
hear  the  institution  spoken  of,  both  in 
and  out  of  the  Order,  as  a  sort  of  mu- 
tual insurance  company.  'I'his,  certain- 
ly, is  a  very  low  view  of  its  character 
and  objects,  and  utterly  unworthy  of 
all  the  arrangements,  and  guards,  and 
work  connected  with  the  operations  of 


11      AN    EXrOSITlON    AMD    DEFExVCE 

the  institution.  If  no  other  or  higher 
objects  were  to  be  attained  by  the  in- 
stitution, than  merely  its  pecuniary 
benefits,  all  might  be  secured  in  the 
usual  methods  resorted  to  by  insurance 
companies,  and  the  necessity  for  all  our 
secrets  be  superseded,  and  rendered 
entirely  useless. 

So  if  pecuniary  benefits  Avere  the  on- 
ly object  to  be  attained  by  the  institu- 
tion, or  its  only  purpose  to  bestow  pe- 
cuniary relief  upon  the  needy,  suffer- 
ing and  distressed,  among  our  members, 
it  would  accomplish  no  more  than  may 
be  secured  by  the  Alms-house,  or  any 
other  pauper  establi!«hment.  This  I 
know  Avould  be  good  in  its  kind,  and 
as  far  as  it  might  go  ;  but  would  it  be 
a  very  noble,  generous  or  desireable 
charity  to  the  destitute  and  suffering  ? 
It  seems  to  me  it  would  not  ;  for  some- 
thing more  is  needed  by  the  destitute 
and  suffering,  beside  pecuniary  relief — 
w^hat  the  Alms-house  or  any  other  pub- 
lic charity  never  can  supply — kindness 
and  sympathy,  accompanying  the  gift. 
Without  this,  the  gilt  only  chills,  be- 
numbs and  sickens  the  heart,  and  sinks 
and  crushes  the  man.  There  is  very 
much  in  the  way,  manner  and   associa- 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  13 

liojis  connected  with  the  bestowment  of 
charity,  to  a  sensitive  mind. 

The  pecuniary  arrancjements  of  our 
institution,  for  the  relief  of  the  sick  and 
distressed  among  us,  and  the  Avidows 
and  orphans  of  brothers,  is  not  a  mat- 
ter to  be  thought  lightly  of,  I  confess. 
But  the  true,  the  real  and  substantial 
value  of  our  institution  consists  in  its 
arrangements  to  exert  good  influences 
upon  the  hearts  and  lives  of  all  the 
brothers,  and  to  bestow  upon  the  suf- 
fering and  distressed  brother,  what  the 
heart  needs,  as  well  as  what  the  back 
and  stomach  may  require — the  minis- 
tration of  hind  hands  and  sympathizing 
hearts.  This  he  is  sure  to  have  with 
the  rest,  from  true  Odd-Fellows. 

It  is  with  a  view  to  the  correction 
of  the  misapprehensions  to  which  al- 
lusion has  been  made,  with  others  not 
alluded  to,  by  presenting  a  definite 
view  of  the  nature,  character  and  opera- 
tions of  our  institution,  that  the  compo- 
sition of  this  book  was  engaged  in.  It 
will  be  the  object  so  to  describe  its 
manner  and  objects,  as  to  enable  every 
intelligent  mind  to  attain  clear  and 
distinct  conceptions  of  the  character, 
aims  and  purposes  of  the  institution. 


14       AN    EXPOSITION    AND    DEFENCE 

and  the  way  in  Avhieh  it  operates,  in 
securing  these  ends,  in  its  varied  bear- 
ings and  relations. 

This  is  believed  to  be  needful  in  the 
present  condition  of  our  Order.  It  is 
enjoying  a  singular  degree  of  prosperi- 
ty. The  number  of  its  members  is 
rapidly  increasing,  and  it  is  accumula- 
ting funds  to  a  very  large  amount. 
There  is  now  a  perfect  rush  into  our 
Lodges.  Under  these  circumstances, 
men  are  not  likely  to  look  very  closely 
into  the  nature  and  character  of  an  in- 
stitution, nor  are  they  in  the  most  fa- 
vorable situation  to  judge  accurately 
of  these  things.  In  consequence,  we 
shall,  most  likely,  receive  many  into 
our  fraternity,  who  will  know  little  of 
its  character,  neither  will  they  feel  in- 
terest enough  in  it,  to  inform  them- 
selves, if  we  do  not  get  some,  who  are 
actuated  by  improper  motives  and  sus- 
tain unworthy  characters. 

When  the  present  excitement  is  past, 
the  institution  will  be  thrown  back 
upon  its  own  intrinsic  character  for 
support.  It  is  upon  this  it  must  rely 
for  its  permanency,  whatever  ciicum- 
stances  may  do  for  it,  at  times.  It  is 
this  alone,  that  can  secure  for   it,   the 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  15 

warm,  permanent  and  enduring  affec- 
tions, either  of  its  members  or  of  so- 
ciety at  large. 

But  neither  the  members  of  the  Or- 
der, nor  the  community  can  have  any 
attachment  for  the  institution,  unless 
they  duly  apprehend  its  true  charac- 
ter no  matter  how  excellent  its  princi- 
ples or  successful  its  operations.  It  is 
impossible  to  secure  the  affections  of  any 
rational  man,  for  any  institution,  while 
it  is  a  vague  and  indistinct  thing  in 
his  mind.  To  secure  this  point,  the 
institution  must  be,  not  only  good  and 
valuable  in  itself,  but  he  must  have 
clear  and  distinct  conceptions  of  these 
things,  if  this  is  not  secured  among 
our  members,  when  the  present  interest 
subsides,  as  it  surely  will,  many  of 
them  will  fall  off  with  this  excitement. 

With  these  views  and  feelings,  the 
work  before  us  is  entered  upon.  Every 
one,  acquainted  with  the  matter,  will 
perceive,  that  the  objects  and  purposes 
of  the  institution,  naturally  arrange 
themselves  under  three  divisions  ;  its 
pecuniary,  social,  and  moral  and  re- 
gions characters.  These  points  cover 
the  entire  ground  of  the  institution, 
and  present  the  subject,  in  its  different 


16      AN    EXPOSITION    AND     DEFENCE 

aspects,  in  a  distinct  and  tangible  form. 
A  separate  chapter  is  devoted  to  each 
of  them,  for  the  purpose  of  giving  dis- 
tinctness and  unit}^  to  the  subject 
matter,  and  securing  as  great  brevity 
as  may  be  consistent  with  perspicuity. 
A  separate  chapter  is  given  to  the  con- 
sideration of  objections,  for  the  purpose 
of  securing  an  opportunity  for  a  more 
full  consideration  of  them,  and  to  make 
it  more  convenient  for  reference. 

In  the  discussion  of  the  several  points 
which  will  claim  the  attention  of  the 
reader,  the  author  hopes  to  be  able  to 
show,  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  candid 
minds,  that  the  several  assumptions 
made  in  the  remarks  already  offered, 
whether  directly  affirmed  or  implied, 
relative  to  the  character,  objects  and 
purposes  of  the  Order,  and  the  method 
of  doing  things,  are  just  and  true  ;  and 
that  the  institution  is  all  that  is  claimed 
for  it  by  its  sober  and  serious  friends. 
In  doing  this,  he  hopes  to  avoid  all  ex- 
aggeration— a  thing  to  which  the  most 
candid  are  greatly  exposed,  in  making 
an  exposition  of  a  favorite  subject. 
Such  a  subject  is  very  likely  to  be  ex- 
aggerated to  the  mind  of  a  person  thus 
circumstanced ;    and  of  course,   he   is 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  17 

exceedingly  liable  to  present  it  with 
the  same  coloring  to  the  minds  of 
others.  To  avoid  this  the  author  has 
confined  himself  mostly  to  a  simple 
statement  of  facts,  in  regard  to  the 
character  and  operations  of  the  insti- 
tution, leaving  every  one  to  infer,  for 
the  most  part,  its  excellencies  and 
beauties,  without  any  display  of  them. 
The  facts  are  a  sufficient  commenda- 
tion of  the  institution,  in  his  judgment. 


Cljapter  33, 


THE    INSTITUTION    OF  ODD    FELLOWSHIP 

CONSIDERED  IN  ITS  PECUNIARY 

CHARACTER. 

'Odd-Fellows  !— surely  odd  they  are  ! 
The  sick,  the  naked,  have  their  care  5 

The  hungry  too,  are  fed  ; 
So  odd,  that  they,  without  reproof, 
The  houseless  stranger  give  a  roof, 

And  where  to  lay  his  head.' 

GEM. 

Poverty,  sickness  and  death,  are  in 
our  world  ;  and  to  tiieir  miseries  and 
ravages  we  are  all  exposed.  No  man 
is  above  their  reach.  If  men  are  rich 
to-day,  their  riches  may  take  unto 
themselves  wings  to-morroAv,  and  fly 
away,  no  matter  how  great  their 
amount.  The  wealthiest  man  may  be 
reduced  to  the  most  abject  and  distres- 
sing poverty,  and  become  dependant 
upon  public  charity  for  his  means  of 
subsistence,  as  well  as  that  for  his  fam- 
ily.    Such  has  been  the  fate  of  many  of 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  19 

the  most  wealthy  and  eminent  men  in 
our  countr}',  and  some  of  them  have 
died  inmates  of  the  Alms-house— and 
been  buried  at  the  public  charge. 

Health,  no  matter  how  firm,  or  with 
how  much  care  it  may  be  cherished,  is 
liable  to  be  taken  from  us.  And  when 
health  goes,  with  a  very  large  propor- 
tion of  mankind,  the  very  means  of  sup- 
port for  their  families  are  cut  off,  and 
they  must,  if  sickness  is  long-continued, 
beg  or  resort  to  the  Alms-house  for  re- 
lief, a  remedy  almost  as  bad  as  the  dis- 
ease. 

Men  who  are  engaged  in  active  bu- 
siness and  those  who  travel  much,  are 
liable  to  be  thrown  amiong  entire  stran- 
gers, and  there  find  themselves  penny- 
less.  This  may  be  in  a  great  City — a 
wilderness  of  human  beings,  more  drea- 
ry and  desolate  to  such  a  man,  than 
the  wildest  solitude.  There  he  may  be 
taken  down  Avith  sickness,  and  he  will 
be  thrown  into  the  Hospital  or  the 
Alms-house,  where  no  countenance 
beams  with  the  kind  look  of  friendship, 
or  is  lighted  up  with  interest  in  him  ; 
but  all  faces  are  clothed  in  the  stern  in- 
flexibility, coldness  and  indifference  of 
menials,  toiling  at  their  daily  task — a 


20      AN    EXPOSITION    AND    DEFENCE 

condition  worse  than  that  of  the  beo-orar 
at  the  rich  man's  gate  ;  for  there  he  had 
the  sympathies  of  the  dogs,  which  is 
better  than  the  hard  and  cold  faces  of 
men. 

Families  are  liable  to  have  their  only- 
stay  and  support  taken  away  by  death. 
While  the  husband  and  father  lives,  he 
may  be  able  to  maintain  his  family  re- 
spectably, and  make  some  little  saving 
from  his  earnings.  But  with  a  little 
family  coming  up  around  him,  death 
snatches  him  away,  and  leaves  his  fam- 
il}^  with  little  or  nothing  wherewith  to 
help  themselves,  in  securing  the  means 
of  subsistence.  The  mother  has  as 
much  as  she  ought,  if  not  as  much  as 
she  can  do,  to  take  care  of  her  children, 
without  doing  any  labor  to  procure  the 
means  for  their  maintenance.  In  con- 
sequence, they  must  either  resort  to 
begging,  or  the  Alms-house. 

Now  it  is  the  object  of  the  Institu- 
tion of  Odd-Fellowship,  to  guard  its 
members  against  what  is  most  to  be 
dreaded  in  these  unavoidable  ills  of 
life  ;  or  rather  to  prevent  their  coming 
to  such  a  condition,  by  affording  timely 
relief.  It  is  not  poverty,  sickness  and 
death  which  are  so  much  to  be  dreaded  ; 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  21 

but  the  consequences  to  which  they 
lead,  either  in  our  own  case  or  that  of 
our  families,  or  both  together. 

How  is  it  that  this  institution  guards 
men  against  these  most  to  be  dreaded 
evils  in  life's  journey  ?  I  answer,  by  its 
pecuniary  arrangements,  which  I  will 
now  proceed  to  explain,  in  as  simple 
and  direct  a  manner  as  1  am  able, 
though  most  of  it  may  be  learned  from 
the  Constitutions  and  By-Laws  of  any 
Lodge. 

The  first  point  to  be  gained  by  the 
institution,  to  enable  it  to  do  its  work 
and  answer  its  purposes,  is  to  accumu- 
late funds  adequate  to  all  its  exigencies. 
This  is  done,  by  each  member  contri- 
buting a  certain  sum  of  money  as  a  fee, 
on  initiation,  and  on  receiving  his  de- 
grees ;  and  also  the  payment  of  regular 
and  established  quarterly  dues,  partly 
for  the  general  fund,  and  partly  for  the 
Widows  and  Orphans  fund — a  fund  sa- 
cred  to  the  relief  of  the  widows  and 
orphans  of  the  members  of  the  Lodge, 
whenever  they  may  have  such.  To 
this  is  added  prescribed  assessments 
upon  the  death  of  a  member  or  his  wife, 
to  meet  the  expenses  of  such  an  event. 

With  funds  thus  accumulating  and 


2'2      AN    EXPOSITION    AND    DEFENCE 

sustained,  each  Lodge  pays  regular 
benefits  to  every  sick  brother,  so  long 
as  he  is  unable  to  attend  to  his  usual 
avocations,  no  matter  whether  he  is 
rich  or  poor.  This  course  is  adopted, 
to  avoid  the  disagreeable  and  offensive 
task,  and  the  evil  effects  which  must 
attend  and  follow  an  arrangement 
which  provides  benefits  for  the  poor 
only — that  of  examining  into  the  pecu- 
niar}'-  circumstances  of  every  brother 
who  may  be  sick,  and  reporting  upon 
them  to  the  society.  I  need  not  name 
the  bad  effects  of  such  a  procedure, 
especially  upon  the  mind  and  feelings 
of  the  sick  member,  if  he  is  really  des- 
titute. 

Herein  it  is,  that  Odd-Fellowship 
differs  with  all  other  associated  ar- 
rangements for  the  relief  of  the  suffer- 
ing. It  makes  no  distinction  between 
the  rich  and  the  poor  ;  but  extends  its 
hand  equally  to  all,  so  that  when  a  poor 
man  receives  a  benefit,  the  heart  is  not 
made  sick  and  the  feelings  crushed  and 
degraded  by  the  thought,  that  it  is  be- 
stowed because  he  is  poor.  It  comes  to 
every  man  as  a  man,  and  bestows  its 
benefits  upon  him  because  he  is  a  uian, 
not  because  he  is  poor  and  needy.     In 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  2S 

this  Avay,  it  seeks  to  preserve  the  feel- 
ing* of  equality,  and  the  dignity  of  a 
man,  where  the  brother  is  really  desti- 
tute and  needy.  If  a  brother's  circum- 
stances are  such,  that  he  does  not  need 
the  sick  benefits  he  receives,  he  can 
make  a  donation  of  them  to  the  Widows' 
and  Orphans'  fund. 

Such  is  its  method  of  operation  in 
regard  to  its  local  arrangements.  In 
case  of  sickness  and  death,  benefits  are 
conferred  upon  all  alike.  There  are  no 
sick,  no  poor,  no  high,  no  low  ;  but  all 
are  equal  in  the  eye  of  the  institution. 

I  knoAv  indeed,  that  in  its  more  ex- 
tended charities,  this  arrangement  can- 
not be  followed.  When  a  Lodge  goes 
out  from  among  its  members,  to  confer 
benefits  upon  a  brother  belonging  else- 
Avhere,  this  course  cannot  be  pursued  ; 
but  benefits  must  be  conferred  only 
upon  such  as  are  needy  and  suffering. 
But  the  individual  is  saved  from  all 
feeling  of  degradation  in  such  cases,  by 
the  fact,  that  misfortune  has  brought 
him  to  such  a  condition,  and  that  in 
such  cases,  he  has  claims  upon  the  insti- 
tution for  relief,  just  as  much  as  if  he 
had  lunds  deposited  in  a  bank,  for 
which  he  need  only  give  his  check. 


24       AN    EXPOSITION    AND    DEFENCE 

In  its  benefits,  the  institution  of  Odd- 
Fellowship  has  regard  to  the  families 
of  its  members,  as  well  as  themselves. 
These  are  equally  taken  under  the  fos- 
tering care  of  the  Order.  On  the  death 
of  a  brother,  the  widow  receives  a  fun- 
eral benefit,  and  if  poor,  both  she  and 
her  children  are  provided  for,  and  taken 
care  of  by  his  Lodge.  Such  are  its 
local  arrangement  and  operations,  in 
the  way  of  benefits. 

But  the  institution  is  no  mere  local 
affair.  It  extends  over  this  wide  conti- 
nent, and  crosses  the  mighty  waters, 
and  spreads  over  Europe,  and  reaches 
out  its  protecting  and  helping  hand  to 
its  members  wherever  civilized  man  is 
found.  The  benefits  to  which  I  have 
adverted,  are  sure  for  every  brother, 
when  in  distress,  upon  making  himself 
known  to  any  Lodge,  or  brother,  who 
is  able  to  afford  relief,  no  matter  in  how 
remote  a  country  he  may  be,  or  of  how 
strange  a  language  the  people.  The 
language  of  Odd-Fellowship  is  the  same 
everywhere,  and  is  intelligible  to  every 
true  Odd-Fellow.  In  this  we  cannot 
be  deceived. 

For  example.  If  a  member  of  any 
Lodge  in  New  England  should  go  to 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  25 

Quebec,  New  Orleans,  Texas,  Mexico, 
or  into  any  country  in  Europe,  with 
Ivis  family,  and  should  be  taken  sick, 
and  become  destitute  and  in  distress,  if 
he  makes  himself  known  to  a  brother, 
that  brother  is  bound  to  report  his  case 
to  the  nearest  Lodge,  if  possible,  and 
they  must  see  them  provided  for  ;  but 
if  he  cannot  do  this,  he  is  bound  to  see 
that  they  are  taken  proper  care  of,  if  in 
his  power  so  to  do.  And  if  he  dies,  this 
brother  is  bound  to  see  that  his  widow 
and  orphans  are  not  permitted  to  suffer, 
if  he  can,  and  the  institution  defrays 
the  expense.  Is  not  this  a  good  and 
most  valuable  feature  of  our  institu- 
tion .' 

But  this  is  not  all.  The  sick  brother 
and  his  distressed  family  are  not  only 
furnished  with  pecuniary  aid,  but  there 
comes  with  it,  what  is  of  more  value  to 
the  heart — friendly  sympathy  and  broth- 
erly attention.  He  is  daily  visited  by 
the  officers  of  the  Lodge  to  which  he 
belongs,  and  his  case  is  reported  at 
every  meeting  ;  and  if  in  a  strange 
land  and  among  strangers,  the  same 
will  be  done  for  him,  by  any  Lodge  to 
which  he  may  be  made  known.  All 
this  is  the  bounden  duty  of  every  Lodge, 


26       AN    EXPOSITION    AND    DEFENCE 

and  it  must  do  it,  or  forfeit  its  existence 
and  its  funds  ;  and  I  am  happy  to  say, 
an  instance  has  never  yet  been  known, 
in  which  these  duties  have  been  neg- 
lected or  refused,  to  a  needy  and  deserv- 
ing brother,  or  his  family. 

If  the  reader  has  ever  been  confined 
to  a  bed  of  sickness,  far  away  from 
friends  and  kindred,  among  strangers, 
with  none  but  strange  faces  to  greet,  or 
strange  and  cold  hands  to  minister  to 
his  necessities  ;  if  he  has  ever  been  shut 
up  in  a  sick  room,  where  no  one  came 
near  him,  but  such  as  were  hired,  and 
from  whom  he  knew  not  a  favor  would 
be  obtained  beyond  what  his  money 
purchased  ;  if  he  has  been  thus  shut 
up,  where  he  felt  in  his  inmost  soul, 
that  should  his  money  become  exhaus- 
ted, that  moment  he  should  be  aban- 
doned by  his  mercenary  attendants, 
turned  into  the  street,  or  sent  to  the 
Hospital  or  Alms-house,  he  can  realize 
something  of  the  desolation  the  heart 
feels,  under  such  circumstances.  What 
would  you  not  have  given  in  that  hour, 
to  have  seen  one  face  even  that  recog- 
nized some  higher  obligation  to  you, 
than  that  purchased  by  your  money  .'' 

Now  an  Odd-Fellow  is  sure  of  this. 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  27 

if  there  are  any  brothers  in  the  place 
Avhere  he  is,  to  whom  his  case  can  be 
made  known,  no  matter  how  humble 
his  condition,  or  strang-e  their  lang-uage 
to  each  other.  They  have  a  language 
that  will  make  tlieni  known  to  each 
other,  as  brothers,  beyond  the  possibili- 
ty of  mistake,  and  that  will  secure  for 
him  what  money  cannot  buy — friendly 
attention  and  sympathy.  And  this  is 
worth  more  to  the  heart,  than  all  the 
pecuniary  aid  that  could  be  bestowed 
without  it,  however  much  it  might  be 
needed.  Is  not  this  a  beautiful  feature 
of  our  institution  .'*  Even  among  the 
most  perfect  strangers,  it  provides  the 
ready  hands  and  the  warm  and  sym- 
pathetic hearts  of  true  friends  and 
brothers,  to  cheer  us  in  our  solitude. 

Such  is  the  operation  of  the  institu- 
tion of  Odd-Fellowship,  in  its  pecuni- 
ary aspect,  and  does  it  look  much  like 
the  workings  of  an  insurance  compa- 
ny, where  all  is  cold  and  selfish  calcu- 
lation ?  Light  and  darkness  are  not 
more  unlike.  While  I  admit,  that  in 
one  point  of  view,  it  has  afeatwe  of  a 
mutual  insurance  company,  I  scorn  and 
repel  the  idea,  that  as  an  institution,  it 
has  an}' thing  of  this  character  about  it. 


28  AN    EXPOSITION,    ETC. 

I  say,  in  the  language  of  another  ; 
'For  me,  I  confess,  that  when  I  look 
upon  the  little  family  with  v»hich 
heaven  has  hlessed  me,  for  their  sakes, 
I  cleave  yet  more  closely  to  this  Or- 
der ;  for  I  know,  that  should  it  please 
God  to  call  me  hence,  and  leave  my 
home  desolate  and  drear,  here  should 
my  loved  ones  find  a  shelter  from  the 
storm  ;  for  the  strong  arm  of  this  in- 
stitution would  be  a  protecting  shield, 
around  them,  to  relieve  the  weeping 
partner  of  my  joys,  and  take  up  my 
tender  babes  and  bless  them.  Ask  me 
not  to  leave  it.  For  their  sakes,  I  will 
plead  its  cause.'* 

*  Williamson's   Address. 


dlljaptcr  333. 


THE   INSTITUTION    OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP 

CONSIDERED    IN    ITS     SOCIAL 

CHARACTER. 

'  Friendly  be,  friendly  be,  O  brothers  kind, 

For  your  motlo  calls  to  mind, 
Friendship  to  each  other; 
Where  can  flourish  friendship  sweet, 

But  where  friends  and  brothers  meet  ? 
Frieadship,  friendship,  bond  of  brothers, 

Friendly  be,  O  brothers  kind.' 

SYMBOL. 

Man  is  a  social  being;.  He  seeks 
the  society  of  iiis  kind,  and  his  heart 
yearns  for  the  sympathy  of  some  kin- 
dred heart.  It  is  through  the  social 
element  in  human  nature,  that  a  very 
large  proportion  of  the  real  improve- 
ments, in  the  hearts  and  lives  of  men, 
are  effected.  And  so  too,  it  is  through 
the  same  medium,  they  are  depraved 
and  society  corrupted.  Association  is 
a  powerful  means  of  good  or  of  evil, 
accordino;  as  it  is  used. 


30      AN    EXPOSITION    AND    DEFENCE 

In  human  society,  there  is  much  cold- 
ness and  indifference  existing  between 
man  and  man,  if  not  down-right  en- 
mity and  ill-will.  Much,  if  not  most 
of  this,  undoubtedly,  is  to  be  attributed 
to  their  want  of  acquaintance  with, 
and  a  proper  understanding  of  each 
others  real  motives  and  feelings.  This 
is  especially  the  case  in  relation  to 
honest  and  true  men.  Separated  from 
one  another  in  their  social  relations, 
and  often-times  viewing  each  other 
through  the  mists  of  party  prejudice, 
or  the  world's  scandal,  the  eye  becomes 
fixed  almost  entirely  upon  the  defects 
there  may  appear  to  be  in  the  indi- 
vidual's manners,  habits  and  princi- 
ples. The  offensive  in  the  man  alone 
attract  our  attention.  In  consequence, 
they  become  magnified  and  exaggera- 
ted, so  that  a  mole-hill  appears  a  moun- 
tain, while  all  the  better,  more  amiable 
and  agreeable  points  in  the  individu- 
al's character,  are  entirely  overlooked 
and  forgotten.  In  some  instances,  the 
very  virtues  and  excellences  of  men, 
are  distorted  into  vices,  in  the  eyes  of 
those  viewing  them  through  such  a 
false  and  deceptive  medium. 

Prejudice  and  party  feeling  may  well 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  SI 

be  compared  to  green  spectacles,  which 
make  every  thing,  seen  through  them, 
appear  green  ;  or  to  a  glass  which 
makes  every  thing  seen  through  it, 
seem  bottom  side  up.  To  bring  men 
together  of  different  parties  and  sects, 
and  make  them  acquainted  with  each 
others  principles  and  feelings,  if  good 
and  true  men,  operates  like  the  re- 
moval of  the  green  spectales,  or  like 
adding  another  lens  to  such  a  glass 
as  shows  its  objects  in  an  inverted  po- 
sition— it  brings  every  thing  to  its  true 
position,  and  presents  it  to  the  eye  in 
its  true  color. 

That  such  is  the  effect  of  association 
among  good  and  true  men,  no  one,  I 
think,  can  doubt.  It  is  only  needful, 
that  such  men  should  become  acquaint- 
ed with  each  other,  to  make  them  prize 
and  love  one  another.  No  matter  how 
opposite  the  parties  to  which  they  may 
belong,  or  how  wide  their  differences 
of  opinion,  they  cannot  help  feeling 
for,  and  an  interest  in,  and  an  attach- 
ment to  each  other  as  men.  Their 
hearts  will  be  much  nearer  each  other 
than  their  heads. 

Now  it  is  the  object  of  the  institu- 
tion of  Odd-Fellowship,  to  secure  this 


32      AN    EXPOSITION    AND    DEFENCE 

result.  It  aims  to  bring  together  the 
good  and  true  men  of  all  sects  and  par- 
ties, trades  and  professions,  conditions 
and  positions  in  society,  on  a  common 
level,  and  make  them  acquainted  with 
each  other  as  men.  It  brings  together 
the  rich  and  the  poor,  the  merchant 
and  mechanic,  the  day-laborer  and  the 
professional  man,  the  agriculturalist 
and  the  gentleman  of  Ibrtune,  and 
makes  them  mingle  together  on  terms 
of  perfect  equality,  as  men  and  broth- 
ers, and  so  to  treat  one  another  where- 
ever  they  may  meet. 

The  necessity  for  such  an  institution 
as  Odd-Fellowship,  and  its  elfects  in 
removing  prejudice  and  enlarging  and 
liberalizing  men's  m.inds,  in  the  pre- 
sent condition  of  society-,  is  so  much 
better  done,  than  I  can  do  it,  by  an- 
other, that  I  shall  adopt  his  language. 

^  I  hold  it  to  be  one  of  the  defects 
of  our  social  sj^stem,  that  we  are  too 
much  engaged  in  a  desperate  rush  for 
the  "loaves  and  fishes,"  and  too  little 
inclined  to  cultivate  our  social  facul- 
ties. We  do  indeed  mingle  with  our 
fellow-men,  but  it  is  in  the  bustle  and 
confusion  of  business.  Intent  upon  our 
object,  we  hurry  past  each  other,  witbci 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  33 

word  of  recognition,  or  meet  each  other 
in  the  sharp  contest  for  gain.  And 
when  the  labor  of  the  day  is  over,  we 
sit  down  to  count  over  our  "  cent  per 
cent,"  and  form  plans  for  the  morrow. 
Possibly  we  may  spend  an  hour  with  a 
feAV  select  friends  ;  but  they  are  men 
of  similar  pursuits;  or  similar  political 
or  religious  opinions,  and  all  the  world 
besides,  are  to  us,  as  heathens  and 
barbarians.  The  consequence  is,  that 
we  become  unsocial  in  our  feelings, 
and  bigots  to  a  creed,  or  slaves  to  a 
party. 

'  Who  is  the  sour-hearted  bigot  and 
partizan,  but  the  man  who  knows 
nothing  of  the  world,  but  what  he  has 
learned  from  communion  with  his  own 
sect  or  his  own  party  ?  Who  the 
Ishmaelite,  whose  hand  is  against  every 
man,  but  he  that,  in  the  midst  of  the 
thronged  world,  dwells  in  a  desert 
alone  ?  To  me,  at  least,  it  appears 
evident,  that  there  is  need  of  an  in- 
stitution, that  will  bring  together  men 
of  various  pursuits,  and  different  par- 
ties and  sects,  and  give  them  a  fellow- 
feeling,  by  uniting  them  in  one  work, 
thus  laying  the  foundation  of  a  broader 


34      AN    EXPOSITION    AND     DEFENCE 

feeling  of  charity,    a  more  extended 
chain  of  social  union. 

'  Such  IS  the  institution  of  which 
we  are  speaking.  It  brings  together 
men  of  every  sect  and  party  ;  and  as 
they  mingle  from  week  to  week,  the 
rough  corners  of  prejudice  are  sure  to 
be  battered  off,  and  the  sharp  features 
of  hard-faced  bigotry  to  be  smoothed 
and  softened.  Men  thus  learn,  that 
there  is  virtue  in  every  sect,  and  in 
every  party,  and  begin  to  indulge  more 
far-reaching  and  expanded  feelings  of 
kindness  and  charity.  The  golden 
chain  of  friendship  is  lengthened  and 
brightened,    the    social    faculties    im- 

f)roved,  their  sphere  of  operation  en- 
arged,  and  the  partition  walls  that  di- 
vide sect  from  sect,  and  party  from 
party,  are  broken  down, 

'  The  reason  is  obvious.  There 
grows  up  naturally,  between  men  who 
commune  frequently  with  each  other, 
in  free  and  familiar,  but  yet  dignified 
association,  a  feeling  of  brotherhood — 
a  firmer  friendship  than  can  exist  be- 
tween men  who  merely  jostle  each 
other  in  the  crowd,  or  in  the  confusion 
of  business. 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  S5 

'  If  charity  of  feeling,  and  broad 
principles  of  good-will  to  man,  are 
worth  possessing,  it  should  always  be 
remembered,  that  they  will  not  grow 
up  spontaneously  in  the  cloister  of  the 
monk,  or  the  cell  of  the  recluse.  They 
must  proceed  from,  or  rather  be  drawn 
out  by  the  social  principle  of  human 
nature,  in  a  wide  sense.  Furious  and 
vindictive  party-feeling  exists  alone  in 
the  man  Avho  associates  with  kindred 
spirits  of  his  own  party.  Narrow- 
minded  and  dark-browed  religious 
bigotry  scowls  most  furiously,  in  the 
face  of  the  man,  who  associates  only 
with  those  of  his  own  creed.  Let  the 
one  and  the  other  come  out  from  the 
enclosure,  and  mingle  with  the  votaries 
of  other  parties,  and  they  will  soon 
learn,  that  virtue  is  not  confined  to 
names  ;  and  their  bigotry  and  acrimony 
will  wear  away.  They  will  be  better 
men  and  better  christians  ;  for  they  will 
imbibe  more  of  that  first  and  greatest 
of  all  graces.  Charity,  that  "  thinketh 
no  evil." 

'  Thus  it  is  in  our  Lodges.  There 
men  of  all  parties  and  various  creeds 
meet,  not  as  partizans,  but  as  friends 
and  brothers,  engaged  in  one  work, 
bound  in  one  common  bond,  and  they 


36      AN    EXPOSITION    AND    DEFENCE 

learn  to  cherish  toward  one  another^ 
more  kindly  feelings  of  good-wilL 
Friendships  are  formed  between  men 
of  most  discordant  opinions,  and  many 
are  brought  together,  who  would  other- 
wise have  been  "most  distant  from 
each  other."  '* 

Such  is  the  operation  of  our  institu- 
tion, in  a  social  way.  But  these  ef- 
fects are  not  merely  local  in  their 
character.  They  extend  as  wide  and 
as  far  as  the  institution  spreads  itself, 
and  its  members  go — to  the  ends  of 
the  earth.  Odd-Fellowship  forms  a 
bond,  which  connects  each  brother 
with  every  other  brother,  the  world 
over ;  so  that  an  utter  stranger,  no 
matter  how  obscure,  is  at  once  greeted, 
received  and  cherished  as  a  brother, 
with  all  the  confidence  we  would  re- 
ceive and  cherish  our  most  intimate 
and  well-tried  friends.  We  have  no 
distrust,  no  fears  of  imposition  from  the 
man  who  proves  himself  a  brother,  af- 
ter a  suitable  examination. 

Is  not  this  wonderful,  in  a  world  so 
full  of  treachery,  deceit  and  fraud,  as 
ours  is  .''  This  may  Avell  appear  strange 

*  Williamson's  Address. 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  37 

to  the  uninitiated.  It  mdLj  well  sur- 
prise them,  that  we  should  dare  to  re- 
ceive and  confide  in  a  stranger  of 
whom  we  know  nothing  personally, 
and  whose  name  even  we  never  heard. 
But  it  is  nothing  strange  to  us.  We 
have  '  certain  well-known  signs  and 
tokens,'  known  only  to  true  Odd- 
Fellows,  by  which  we  can  determine 
whether  a  man  is  what  he  professes  to 
be,  beyond  the  possibility  of  mistake. 
And  the  simple  fact  of  his  being  in  the 
possession  of  these,  is  a  sufficient 
guaranty,  that  he  is  worthy  of  our  con- 
tidence.  In  communicating  these  to 
him,  his  Lodge  becomes  responsible  for 
the  integrity  of  his  character,  and 
through  this  the  Order.  So  that  we 
have  evidence  which  cannot  be  forged, 
and  a  pledge  of  the  worthiness  of  an 
entire  stranger,  which  those  out  of  the 
Order,  can  have  of  no  one,  except 
those  with  whom  they  are  the  most  in- 
timate. In  fact,  we  are  better  inform- 
ed in  regard  to  the  most  perfect  stran- 
ger's character,  by  the  simple  fact  of 
his  coming  to  us  as  a  duly  accredited 
Odd-Fellow,  than  we  should  be,  by  a 
limited  acquaintance  with  him. 

Such  is  the   broad  social   arrano:e- 


38  AN    EXPOSITION,    ETC. 

merits  made  by  the  institution  of  Odd- 
Fellowship.  It  only  needs  that  the  ar- 
rangements of  the  Order  be  faithfully 
adhered  to  and  duly  observed,  to  se- 
cure all  these  social  benefits  to  every 
brother  wherever  he  may  go. 

'  May  every  social  virtue  bind 
Each  sympathetic  heart, 
So  firmly,  in  the  bonds  of  love, 
That  death  alone  can  part 
The  tie,  that  now  each  Brother  feels  ; 
The  chain  that  binds  our  bands 
Cannot  be  severed  -,  Faith's  cement 
Has  link'd  cur  hearts  and  hands.' 

SYMBOL. 


Cljapter  3\), 


THE    INSTITUTION    OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP 

CONSIDERED     IN     ITS     MORAL    AND 

RELIGIOUS    CHARACTER. 

'  Beware  !  who  says  he  loves  his  God, 
And  dares  to  do  his  neighbor  wrong  ! 

'  Tis  all  a  foolish,  vain  pretence, 
A  lie  is  dwelling  on  his  tongue.' 

OEM. 

Religion  is  the  g:reat  conservator 
of  public  morals  and  private  virtue. 
Without  religion,  no  man's  virtue  is 
established  upon  a  firm  and  enduring 
basis.  It  is  at  the  mercy  of  every  wind 
that  blows,  and  every  current  that 
crosses  his  path  may  sweep  it  away. 
It  is  religion  alone,  that  can  give  to 
goodness  and  virtue,  the  self-denying 
and  resolute  character,  which  will  make 
the  individual  prefer  to  die,  rather  than 
yield  to  temptation,  or  sacrifice  his  in- 
tegrity and  virtue  ;  which  makes  the 
soul  firm  and  strong  to  do  battle  with 


40      AN    EXPOSITION    AND    DEFENCE 

all  that  is  at  war  with  its  highest  goor! 
and  happiness. 

So  no  institution,  which  has  any 
higher  aims,  than  the  gratification  of 
the  most  superlative  selfishness,  can  be 
permanently  useful  to  its  members  or 
any  body  else,  or  have  any  uniform  and 
enduring  character,  unless  it  is  founded 
upon  religion  and  good  morals,  which 
are  but  the  exponents  of  religion  in  the 
heart.  A  religious  influence  and  spirit 
must  be  interwoven  with  and  pervade 
its  character  and  operations,  or  there 
will  be  no  stability  or  soul  to  it.  With- 
out this,  it  will  be  a  cold,  forbidding, 
lifeless,  and  soulless  concern,  destitute 
of  that  noble,  generous,  kind  and  ele- 
vated spirit,  which  constitutes  all  the 
beauty  and  attractions  of  an  associa- 
tion. The  result  of  this,  must  be,  that 
it  will  be  abandoned  by  all  men  who 
have  any  life  in  their  souls  or  feeling  in 
their  hearts. 

The  reason  of  this  is,  that  man  is 
naturally  a  religious  beino;.  He  must 
have  some  object  to  reverence,  some 
high  power  to  look  too  for  protection 
and  blessings,  to  awaken  his  better  feel- 
ings and  sentiments,  and  call  forth  all 
the  tender  and  generous  emotions  of  his 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  41 

soul.  Where  this  is  wanting,  the  soul 
is  utterly  dead,  and  the  individual  is 
given  up  to  an  all-eno-ulfing  selfish- 
ness, a  cold  and  degrading  stoicism,  a 
low,  vulgar  and  debased  state  of  thought 
and  feeling,  an  ungenerous,  malicious, 
hating  and  revengeful  spirit,  and  he 
will  be  destitute  of  all  in  character, 
that  can  make  man  interesting  and  at- 
tractive to  his  fellow  man. 

The  institution  of  Odd-Fellowship 
recognizes  these  great  truths,  and  is 
organized  with  reference  to  them.  It 
begins  with  requiring  men  to  believe 
'  in  a  Supreme  Being,  Creator,  Pre- 
server and  Governor  of  all  things  ;' 
and  that  they  be  men  of  good  moral 
characters,  '  and  industrious  hab- 
its, having  some  respectable  known 
means  of  support,'  in  order  to  obtain 
admittance  to  its  privileges  and  bene- 
fits. All  its  lectures  and  charges  are 
drawn  from  the  Scriptures,  and  they 
presuppose,  that  the  individual  believes 
in  the  o-reat  truths  they  inculcate.  In- 
deed, no  man  can  enter  the  institution 
without  tacitly  admitting  the  truth  and 
divine  authority  of  the  teachings  of 
the  Scriptures,  and  their  accountability 
to  God  ;  and  this  has  to  be  tacitly  re- 
4 


42      AN    EXPOSITION    AND    DEFENCE 

affirmed  every  step  they  take,  so  far  as 
the  author  is  acquainted.  Any  man 
who  does  not  believe  in  these  things, 
in  entering  the  institution,  has  to  prac- 
tice the  grossest  deception  and  hypo- 
cricy,  and  to  repeat  it  every  step  he 
advances.  And  I  would  advise  every 
man,  who  has  no  regard  for  religion,  to 
keep  out  of  the  institution,  for  his  own 
sake  ;  for  if  he  comes  in,  he  must  add 
to  the  sin  of  despising  religion,  the  hy- 
pocricy  of  assenting  To  its  truth  and  im- 
portance. All  our  forms  and  services, 
in  our  Lodge  meetings,  are  of  a  decid- 
edly religious  character,  and  the  Lodge 
is  always  opened  and  closed  with  prayer 
by  the  Chaplain,  or  some  other  mem- 
ber in  his  absence. 

At  everj^  meeting,  a  part  of  the  reg- 
ular business  is,  to  inquire  after  and 
receive  reports  concerning  the  sick  and 
distressed  among  the  brothers.  The 
inquiry  is  always  made  at  every  meet- 
ing,— 'Does  any  brother  know  of  a  sick 
brother,  or  a  brother  in  distress  .^'  And 
in  reply,  a  statement  is  made  of  the 
condition  and  prospects  of  every  sick 
brother,  and  all  cases  of  distress  are  re- 
ported and  provided  for,  so  far  as  is  in 
our  power.     If    nothing   else    can   be 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  43 

done,  the  sufferer  has  our  personal  at- 
tentions and  sympathies. 

Now  I  suhmit  it  to  every  candid  per- 
son to  say,  if  the  institution  of  Odd- 
Fellowship,  thus  arranged,  and  the 
meetings  of  which  are  conducted  in 
such  a  manner,  must  not  exert  a  health- 
ful moral  and  religious  influence  upon 
its  members  ?  How  can  any  man's  at- 
tention be  constantly  called  to  the  sick- 
ness and  distress  of  his  fellows,  without 
thinking  and  feeling  more  for  the  suf- 
ferings of  mankind,  and  beino;  made 
more  willing  to  contribute  for  their  re- 
lief .''  Must  it  not  tend  most  strongly 
to  make  the  members  less  selfish  in  their 
aims  and  feelings,  and  more  compre- 
hensive in  their  views,  and  more  kind 
and  charitable  f  Are  not  these  neces- 
sary elements  in  a  truly  religious  char- 
acter, especially  if  tried  by  the  stand- 
ard erected  by  Christianity  .^ 

And  then,  its  requiring  every  person 
Avho  is  proposed  for  membership,  to  be 
a  man  Avho  sustains  such  a  character  as 
before  described,  joined  with  the  fact, 
that  many  are  rejected  for  the  Avant  of 
these  qualifications,  cannot  be  without 
their  effect  upon  the  public  mind,  and 
especially  the  youno;,  who  may  wish  to 


44      AN    EXPOSITION    ANij    l^EFENCE 

become  members  at  some  future  time, 
to  restrain  IVom  vice,  and  to  stimulate 
to  virtue.  It  says  to  every  young  man, 
If  you  wish  to  secure  the  privileges 
and  benefits  conferred  by  being  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Order,  you  must  form  a  char- 
acter of  integrity  and  virtue  ;  you 
must  be  an  honest  and  true  man. 

There  is  still  another  way  in  which 
an  influence  is  exerted  by  the  institu- 
tion, in  favor  of  morality  and  religion, 
and  that  is,  by  checking  selfishness,  and 
promoting  a  charitable  and  benevolent 
spirit.  This  is  done,  by  the  associa- 
tions of  our  meetings,  and  the  habit  of 
giving  for  the  benefit  of  the  sick  and 
distressed.  Every  member  pays  his 
regular  fee  into  the  general  fund,  to 
provide  the  means  of  relief  for  such  as 
may  be  sick  or  in  Avant,  whether  it  be 
himself  or  others.  In  this  way  every 
one  is  taught  to  take  into  the  account, 
in  paying  away  his  money,  not  himself 
alone,  but  his  brother  equally  with 
himself  He  also  pays  his  regular  fee 
into  the  AVidows'  and  Orphans'  fund, 
which  serves  to  remind  him,  that  his 
companion  may  become  a  Avidow,  and 
his  children  orphans,  as  well  as  those 
of  his  brothers-     Is  not  this  calculated 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  45 

to  make  each  one  think  more  and  feel 
more  for  this  unfortunate  class  of  our 
fellow-creatures,  than  thev  would  under 
other  circumstanees  ?  Will  it  not  serve 
to  kindle  anew  the  feeling  of  frailty 
and  dependence,  and  thus  bind  us  more 
strongly  to  our  felloAvs,  make  us  feel  a 
nearer  relation  to  them,  and  to  look  up 
to  a  higher  power  to  protect  and  bless 
us  ?  It  surely  must  be  so,  upon  every 
reflecting  mind,  and  feeling  heart. 

Such  feelings  constitute  an  essential 
part  of  all  true  religion  in  the  soul. 
No  man  can  be  a  truly  religious  per- 
son, and  be  destitute  of  these  ;  for  they 
are  the  evidence,  when  embodied  in 
action,  of  a  man's  love  for  God,  which 
is  the  essence  of  all  true  religion.  And 
I  submit  it  to  any  candid  man  to  say, 
whether  such  arrangements  are  not 
peculiarly  calculated  to  nourish  and 
cherish  such  feelings. 

So  decided  and  strong  are  the  moral 
and  religious  influences,  in  our  institu- 
tion and  its  meetings,  that  if  a  bad  man 
crets  in,  and  attends  its  meetingsmuch, 
it  will  either  reform  him,  or  else  it  will 
so  annoy  and  harass  his  feelings,  that 
he  will  abandon  the  meetings  ;  or  it 
will   make   him    more    desperate   and 


46      AN    EXPOSITIOiN    AND     DEFENCE 

reckless,  as  a  determination  to  resist 
the  light  always  does,  when  it  cannot 
be  avoided,  so  that  he  exposes  his  real 
principles  and  character,  and  thus  loses 
the  confidence  of  the  members  and  his 
influence,  and  is  thus  shamed  out  of  his 
Lodge  ;  or  commits  some  act  which  se- 
cures his  expulsion. 

The  moral  and  religious  elements 
which  are  incorporated  into  the  institu- 
tion of  Odd-Fellowship,  have  ever  ex- 
erted a  renovating  influence  upon  it,  as 
its  whole  history  shows.  They  have 
been  gradually  and  sloAvly  expelling 
the  practices  which  were  allowed  in  its 
infancy,  that  were  inconsistent  with  its 
principles,  as  an  institution.  And  these 
elements  possess  an  expulsive  power  so 
energetic,  that  they  will  not  only  reform 
wdiatever  there  is  in  the  institution, 
that  is  not  in  harmony  with  themselves, 
but  what  may  be  in  the  practices  of  its 
members  at  war  therewith,  or  they  will 
drive  them  out. 

If  all  this  be  true,  is  not  this  institu- 
tion worthy  of  the  countenance  and 
support  of  every  friend  of  religion  and 
morality  .''  Its  arrangements  are  such, 
that  it  exerts  an  influence  for  good, 
both  amonir  the  members  and  in  the 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  47 

community  at  large.  And  it  not  only 
excites  feelings  of  benevolence  and 
charity  toward  the  members,  who  may 
be  in  distress,  hut  toward  the  suffering 
generally.  I  think  facts  will  warrant 
me  in  affirming,  that  such  is  the  gen- 
eral effect,  and  also,  that  it  has  reform- 
ed very  many  persons  of  more  or  less  of 
their  wrong  habits,  particularly  of  pro- 
fanity, of  Avhich,  I  am  free  to  confess, 
there  is  still  too  much,  either  for  our 
credit  or  the  good  of  the  brother. 

But  with  Ihe  present  strong  and 
growing  moral  and  religious  tone  of 
feeling  that  prevails  among  the  great 
majority  of  the  members,  and  the  reso- 
lute determination  to  keep  the  institu- 
tion as  pure,  as  any  thing  human  can 
be,  and  all  the  hallowing  influences  it 
may  exert,  the  work  of  reform  Avill  go 
on,  until  the  last  vestige  of  wrong  is  re- 
moved, and  we  are  all  prepared  to  en- 
ter the  Grand  Lode-e  above. 


Orijapter  I). 


OBJECTIONS     TO     THE     INSTITUTION     OF 
ODD-FELLOWSHIP    CONSIDERED. 

'  Our  secrecy  aims  not  to  cloak  our  transgressions, 
But  make  us  more  faithful,  united  and  true  ; 

While    Faith,  by  our  emblem,  e'er  points  the  con- 
fession. 
The  All-seeing  Eye  holds  us  ever  in  view.' 

SYMBOL. 

After  what  has  already  been  said 
upon  the  nature,  character  and  opera- 
tions of  the  institution  of  Odd-Fellow- 
ship, it  seems  almost  a  work  of  supere- 
rogation, to  spend  time  and  labor  to 
answer  objections.  All  the  objections 
that  the  author  has  ever  heard  urged 
against  the  institution,  are  met  and 
answered  indirectly  in  the  previous 
chapters.  Indeed,  it  seems  to  my  mind, 
that  with  the  exposition  which  has  been 
made  of  its  character  and  operations 
before  him,  no  candid,  intelligent,  re- 
flecting and  fair  man  can  seriously  ob- 
ject to  the  institution. 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  49 

Stillj  we  know  there  are  objections 
in  the  minds  of  many  persons,  against 
the  institution.  And  they  are  enter- 
tained by  persons  too,  concerning 
whose  opinions  w^e  cannot  be  indiffer- 
ent. We  fain  would  have  their  appro- 
bation of  our  Order  These  objections 
have  been  made  the  occasion  of  very 
serious  difficulties,  even  in  the  families 
of  some  brothers.  After  all  that  has 
been  said,  these  objections  may  still 
retain  their  hold  upon  some  minds. 
To  remove  them,  should  they  exist,  I 
shall  take  up  a  few  of  the  more  promi- 
nent objections,  and  give  them  as 
thorough  a  consideration  as  my  limits 
will  permit. 

1.  It  is  objected  to  the  institution  of 
Odd-Fellowship,  that  it  is  a  secret  associ- 
ation. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  common  ob- 
jections that  is  urged  against  our  Order ; 
but  it  is  one  founded  upon  a  total  mis- 
apprehension of  the  characterof  the  in- 
stitution. In  point  of  fact,  it  is  no  more 
a  secret  society,  than  a  manufacturing 
company^  or  a  banking  institution,  if  it 
is  so  much  so.  The  Constitutions  and 
By-Laws  of  our  Lodges,  which  embody 


50       AN    EXPOSITION    AND    DEFENCE 

the  principles  of  our  Order,  and  contain 
the  rules  and  regulations  \vhich  govern 
our  meetinus  and  all  our  operations, 
are  before  the  public,  and  its  principles 
and  doings  are  the  subject  of  public 
discussion.  So  far  there  is  no  secret 
about  the  institution. 

I  knoAV  indeed,  that  we  have  secrets 
in  connexion  Avith  our  operations,  and 
■what  association  of  individuals,  worth 
any  thing,  does  not  have  them  ?  The 
mercantile  tirm,  the  manufacturing  and 
banking  corporation,  the  rail-road  com- 
pany, the  literary  society,  and  even  so 
small  a  corporation  as  husband  and 
wife,  have  or  ought  to  have  secrets. 
Why  not  object  to  all  these  associations 
as  secret  societies  ?  They  are  just  as 
much,  and  some  of  them  have  more  of 
the  character  of  a  secret  society,  than 
the  institution  of  Odd-Fellowship. 

When  any  of  these  associations  meet 
to  transact  their  own  private  business, 
none  but  members  are  admitted  ;  and 
the  reason  is,  that  the  matters  which 
are  to  claim  their  attention  are  of  con- 
cern to  no  body  else.  The  same  is  the 
case  in  regard  to  Odd-Fellowship. 
And  all  our  secrets  are  what  concerns 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  51 

no  one  but  ourselves,  and  can  be  of  no 
service  to  any  other  persons. 

Would  it  not  be  a  truly  odd  affair,  if 
the  directors  of  a  banking  institution, 
a  manufacturing;  company,  a  rail-road 
corporation,  or  the  members  of  a  mer- 
cantile firm  should  hold  their  meetings, 
and  have  all  their  discussions,  concern- 
ing its  affairs,  and  their  plans  and  ope- 
rations, in  public  ?  vSuch  a  proceeding 
would  be  most  absurd,  and  could  do  no 
good.  So  it  is  with  our  institution. 
AH  our  secrets  are  of  the  same  charac- 
ter as  those  of  the  institutions  named. 
They  concern  no  one  but  ourselves  ; 
and  if  made  known,  they  would  be  of 
no  advantage  to  the  public. 

The  only  difference  between  the  pri- 
vacy of  our  Lodge-meetings  and  that 
of  the  corporations  named,  is  that  ours 
are  more  strictly  guarded  from  intru- 
sion, than  theirs  are.  The  reason  of 
this  is,  that  our  secrets  are  of  more  vital 
concern  to  us,  than  those  of  such  com- 
panies are  to  them  ;  and  from  the  great 
number  of  our  members  and  the  con- 
nexion of  the  Lodo-es  with  each  other, 
it  is  impossible  for  all  to  be  personally 
known  to  the  otiicers. 

This  general  explanation  is  enough 


5'i      AN    EXPOSITION    AND    DEFENCE 

to  meet  the  objection  before  us ;  but 
lest  it  should  not  be  satisfactory  to  all, 
I  will  explain  the  nature  and  use  of  our 
secrets,  and  more  particularly  explain 
the  importance  of  all  persons  being  ex- 
cluded from  our  meetings  except  mem- 
bers of  the  fraternity. 

It  will  be  borne  in  mind,  that  one  of 
the  objects  of  our  institution,  is  the  be- 
stowment  of  relief  upon  needy  and  suf- 
fering members  and  their  families.  It 
will  also  be  borne  in  mind,  that  it  is  a 
widely  extended  institution  ;  that  all 
the  Lodges  in  the  world  are  so  connect- 
ed, that  a  member  of  a  Lodge  in  one 
part  of  the  world,  has  a  claim  both 
upon  a  Lodge  in  any  other  part  of  the 
globe  where  he  may  be,  and  upon  any 
brother  or  brothers  with  Avhom  he  may 
meet,  for  relief,  both  for  himself  and 
family,  when  in  distress,  if  in  their 
power  to  bestow  it,  and  they  may  draw 
upon  the  Lodge  of  which  he  is  a  mem- 
ber for  the  sum  disbursed. 

Now  we  all  know,  in  the  varied  ap- 
plications for  our  individual  charity, 
out  in  the  great  world,  how  constantly 
we  are  exposed  to  imposition.  And 
charitable  associations,  without  the 
guards  which  ours  have,  are  equally,  if 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP,  53 

not  more  exposed  in  this  way,  as  expe- 
rience abundantly  proves. 

Men  present  themselves  at  our  doors 
with  certificateSj  setting  forth  their  mis- 
fortunes and  their  necessities.  These 
may  be  genuine  or  they  may  be  forged  ; 
the  story  may  be  true,  and  it  may  be 
false.  It  might  have  been  true  of  the 
individual  Avhose  name  the  certificate 
bears  ;  but  how  shall  we  be  assured 
that  the  individual  before  us,  is  the  one 
whose  name  is  written  there  .''  It  is 
impossible  for  us  to  tell.  It  may  be  the 
same,  and  it  may  be  another.  There 
is  no  way  for  us  to  be  assured  of  this 
matter.  We  can  only  guei>s  from  the 
appearance  of  the  man  and  other  cir- 
cumstances ;  and  we  may  guess  aright, 
and  we  may  guess  wrong,  and  do  an 
honest  and  true  man  great  injustice, 
and  dishearten,  and  discourage,  and 
make  desperate  one  who  should  be  en- 
couraged and  helped. 

As  Odd-FelloAvs,  Ave  are  perfectly 
safe  from  all  imposition  of  this  kind, 
and  the  liability  of  doing  injustice  or 
injury  in  this  way.  If  a  man  comes  to 
us  and  presents  his  card  as  an  Odd- 
Fellow,  we  have  the  means  of  going  be- 
hind that  paper,   and  determining,   to 


54       AN    EXPOSITION    AND    DEFEiNCK 

an  absolute  certainty,  whether  he  ob- 
tained it  in  a  lavvl'ul  manner,  and 
whether  he  is  a  true  and  lawful  broth- 
er, and  it  is  not  in  his  po\ver  to  deceive 
us.  In  this,  we  are  eftectually  protect- 
ed against  all  imposition,  in  the  be- 
stowment  of  our  favors.  And  this  is, 
and  can  be  done,  only  by  what  are 
termed  our  secrets. 

Such  is  the  use,  the  value  and  im- 
portance of  our  secrets,  and  their  o)ihj 
use.  They  serve  to  protect  us  from 
imposition,  from  being  deceived.  No 
matter  what  they  are.  '  If  they  were 
no  more  than  taking  off  the  hat  with 
the  left  hand,  instead  of  the  right,  as  is 
usual,  you  see  at  once,  if  that  were  an 
inviolable  secret,  and  known  only  to  an 
Odd-FelloAV,  no  impostor  could  deceive 
us.  And  here  let  me  say,  that  the  only 
earthly  use  of  all  our  signs  is,  to  pre- 
serve us  from  imposition.  I  would  not 
give  a  fraction  for  the  Avhole  of  them, 
so  far  as  the  ihins^s  themselves  are  con- 
cerned. Their  utility  consists  alone  in 
the  fact  that  they  are  secrets.' 

In  regard  to  our  meetings,  it  is  often 
asked,  Why  do  you  so  carefully  guard 
them,  to  prevent  every  one,  not  of  your 
number,  from   learnino"   anv  thin""   of 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  55 

your  doings  ?  Are  you  ashamed  of 
your  proceedings,  or  are  they  of  such  a 
character  that  you  are  afraid  to  have 
them  known  ?  I  answer,  emphatically, 
no.  So  far  as  any  thing  of  this  sort  is 
concerned,  we  are  perfectly  willing  all 
the  Avorld  should  see  and  know  all  our 
proceedings.  The  only  reasons  why 
our  meetings  are  strictly  confined  to 
members,  duly  initiated,  are,  that  it  is 
in  them  that  the  brothers  are  instruct- 
ed in  those  signs,  etc.,  so  important  to 
the  existence  and  utility  of  our  institu- 
tion. If  our  meetings  Avere  open  to 
every  body,  this  instruction  must  be 
dispensed  with,  or  those  things  cease  to 
be  secrets.  In  either  case,  the  influ- 
ence of  the  institution  is  not  only  gone, 
but  the  institution  is  prostrate.  Beside 
this,  our  business  transactions,  are  what 
the  public  have  no  more  concern  with, 
than  they  have  with  that  of  any  other 
private  association  of  individuals.  And 
all  our  meetings  are  strictly  business 
meetings  ;  and  all  the  moral  and  reli- 
gious arrangements  are  connected  with 
them,  as  they  ought  to  be  with  all  bu- 
siness, whether  as  individual  or  associ- 
ated, to  exalt  and  purifv  the  heart  and 
life. 


56      AN    EXPOSITION    AND     DEFENCE 

In  conclusion,  I  remark,  that  al- 
though our  institution  is  called  a  secret 
institution,  I  assure  every  one,  that  all 
the  secrets  there  are  about  it,  except 
private  Lodge  bushiess,  are  our  signs, 
etc.  by  which  we  recognize  each 
other,  and  protect  ourselves  from  impo- 
sition. Of  the  importance  of  these,  I 
need  not  tell  any  one,  possessed  of  the 
ordinary  perceptions  of  our  race,  after 
what  has  already  been  said.  Nor  need 
I  say  that  if  we  should  divulge  these, 
they  would  cease  to  be  of  any  utility 
to  any  one.  The  moment  they  are 
known  out  of  the  Order,  that  moment 
they  lose  their  value  to  us,  because 
we  could  not  be  certain,  that  they 
were  lawfully  obtained  ;  and  not  being 
sure  of  this,  they  could  give  us  no  as- 
surance, that  the  man  exhibiting  them, 
was  a  true  and  good  man. 

Nor  is  it  important  to  Odd-Fellows 
alone  that  our  signs,  etc.  should  be 
kept  profound  secrets.  The  public  is 
concerned  in  this.  Possessing  the  pe- 
cuniary means  Ave  do,  with  the  ar- 
rangements for  the  relief  of  needy  and 
distressed  brothers,  there  are  very 
strong  inducements,  in  a  pecuniary 
wav,  for  bad    men  to  wish   to   hail  as 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  57 

Odd-Fellows.  So  too,  from  the  gene- 
ral respectability  of  the  members  of 
the  Order,  such  men  wish  to  bear  the 
name,  to  give  them  respectability 
among  strangers.  Divulge  our  secrets, 
and  all  the  unprincipled  and  vile  men 
in  the  land,  and  especially  such  as 
lead  a  vagrant  life,  would  assume  our 
name,  to  answer  their  vile  purposes. 
In  this  way,  instead  of  our  institution 
being  a  promoter  of  virtue  and  good- 
ness, it  would  become  the  patron  of 
vice  and  iniquity  ;  and  instead  of  be- 
ing a  public  blessing,  as  it  was  de- 
signed to  be,  it  would  become  a  pub- 
lic nuisance,  but  for  our  secrets. 

Our  visiting  cards,  our  cards  of 
clearance,  and  all  other  writings  we 
could  invent,  might  be  forged,  and 
thus  we  become  imposed  upon  and  the 
benevolent  intentions  of  the  Order 
abused.  But  with  the  numerous  secret 
signs,  etc.  which  every  well-instructed 
Odd-Fellow  possesses,  he  may  bid  de- 
fiance to  the  most  arch  villain  the 
world  ever  saw,  to  deceive  him,  or  to 
impose  himself  upon  him  as  a  brother, 
if  he  has  not  been  duly  initiated.  In 
an  attempt  of  this  kind,  he  could  not 
possibly  fail  of  detection,  if  any  toler- 
5 


58      AN    EXPOSITION    AND    DEFENCE 

able  decree  of  attention  is  given  to  his 
examination. 

2.  It  is  objected  to  the  institution  of 
Odd-Fellowship^  that  it  is  selfish  in  its 
character  and  operations. 

This  charge  is  predicated  upon  the 
circumstance,  that  in  its  pecuniary  ar- 
rangements, the  institution  of  Odd- 
Fellowship  makes  provision  for  the  re- 
lief of  none  who  are  in  distress,  but  its 
members.  If  this  is  selfish  in  any  had 
sense  of  the  word,  so  is  the  common 
practice  of  men,  in  making  provision 
for  the  wants  of  their  families,  in 
preference  to  all  other  persons.  If  it 
be  a  matter  of  reproach  for  a  man  to 
make  provision  for  his  wife  and  child- 
ren first  of  all,  and  in  preference  even 
to  all  other  persons — the  necessities  of 
the  world  at  large — then  our  institu- 
tion is  obnoxious  in  the  same  way.  It 
makes  provision  for  its  members  first, 
and  in  preference  to  all  other  persons. 
And  the  reason  of  this  is,  that  every 
Lodge  is  a  family  of  which  each  indi- 
vidual composing  it  is  a  member,  and 
as  such  has  peculiar  claims  upon  it  for 
relief  and  protection,  when  in  want, 
or  in  danger,  from  whatever  cause. 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  59 

But  in  making  such  provision  for  its 
members,  the  institution  of  Odd-Fel- 
loAVship  does  no  wrong  to  others,  more 
than  such  an  arrangement  in  the  fami- 
ly does.  It  only  makes  the  wants  of 
others  subordinate  in  our  arrangements, 
to  those  of  such  as  have  especial  claims 
upon  us,  from  our  peculiar  relations 
to  them.  But  these  especial  obliga- 
tions to  individuals,  do  not  interfere 
with  nor  forbid  our  exercising  a  gen- 
eral charity  and  benevolence,  or  pre- 
vent our  doing  all  we  are  able,  for 
the  relief  of  the  suffering  and  the  pro- 
motion of  the  good  and  happiness  of 
those  out  of  the  Order. 

Indeed,  so  far  is  the  institution  from 
interfering  with  the  exercise  of  gene- 
ral charity  and  benevolence,  or  en- 
couraging a  narrow,  selfish  and  mere 
party  spirit,  that  it  inculcates  the  di- 
rectly opposite.  It  demands  that  we 
be  men  of  charity — that  we  do  all  the 
good  we  can  to  mankind,  but  especially 
to  the  members  of  our  Order,  the  same 
as  the  apostle  exhorts  to  do  good  to  all 
men,  but  especially  to  the  household  of 
faith.  The  meaning  of  this  exhorta- 
tion obviously  is,  that  the  apostle 
would  have  Christians  exercise  a  be- 


60      AN    EXPOSITION    AND    DEFENCE 

nevolent  regard  for  all  men,  and  labor 
for  their  good,  and  strive  to  benefit 
them  all  in  their  power.  But  at  the 
same  time,  he  would  have  them  mani- 
fest an  especial  regard  for  those  to 
\vhom  they  were  bound  by  the  ties  of 
a  common  faith,  and  fraternal  sympa- 
thy and  communion.  Just  so  it  is 
with  Odd-Fellowship.  It  would  have 
us  do  all  we  can  for  suffering  humanity, 
every  Avhere  :  but  at  the  same  time,  it 
would  have  us  exercise  an  especial 
regard  for  the  distressed  and  suffering 
members  of  our  Order.  So  that,  if 
Odd- Fellowship  is  to  be  charged  with 
selfishness  and  to  be  rejected  on  this 
account,  Christianity  must  share  the 
same  fate. 

In  becoming  Odd-Fellows  men  are 
not  relieved  of  any  of  their  obligations 
to  their  families,  to  society,  or  to  the 
individuals  of  our  race.  All  the  duties 
and  obligations  due  to  these,  are  just 
as  binding  upon  us  aftei-  becoming 
members  of  the  Order,  as  before.  In- 
deed these  are  enforced  upon  us  by 
the  principles  and  obligations  of  the 
institution.  No  man  can  be  a  true 
Odd-Fellow',  w  ho  will  see  any  one  of 
his  race  suffering,  and  yet   neglect  or 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  61 

refuse  to  grant  him  relief,  if  in  his 
power  so  to  do. 

The  general  claims  upon  us,  grow- 
ing out  of  our  relations  to  humanity, 
toward  an  individual,  are  not  so  great, 
as  those  to  an  individual  with  Avhom 
we  are  connected  by  a  direct  and  im- 
mediate relationship  of  blood  or  friend- 
ship. It  is  so,  because  they  have  the 
same  claims  upon  us,  growing  out  of 
our  relation  to  them  as  human  beings, 
as  all  other  men,  and  at  the  same  time, 
there  are  superadded  to  these,  the 
claims  of  kindred,  friendship  and  per- 
sonal or  contracted  obligations.  Still, 
we  may  not  neglect  or  refuse  to  render 
aid,  when  within  our  power,  to  suffer- 
ing humanity,  wherever  found,  under 
the  plea  of  discharging  peculiar  obli- 
gations. While  Ave  faithfully  perform 
the  last,  we  should  not  leave  the  former 
undone. 

I  am  aware  that  the  institution  of 
Odd-Fellowship  does  not  provide  for  the 
relief  of  sufferers  out  of  the  Order,  in 
the  same  way  it  does  for  those  who 
are  members.  It  does  not  admit  of 
its  funds  being  appropriated  for  the 
relief  of  those  out  of  the  Order.  These 
are  reserved  for  the  especial  use  of  the 


62      AN    EXPOSITION    AND    DEFENCE 

members — of  those  who  helped  create 
it.  And  the  reason  of  this  is,  that  the 
fund  is  established,  not  for  general, 
but  for  speciiic  charity.  Nor  is  it  de- 
sireable  that  it  should  be  so  ;  for,  ex- 
tended as  it  is,  the  institution  would  de- 
feat some  of  its  own  objects,  in  such  a 
case.  It  would  cease  to  be  a  charita- 
ble and  benevolent  institution,  and 
become  a  mere  patron  of  vagrants, 
paupers  and  vajrabonds.  What  there 
is  selfish  about  this,  or  wrong,  I. cannot 
see. 

3.  The  institution  of  Odd-Fellowship 
is  dangerous  to  the  political  and  religious 
rights  of  the  community. 

This  objection  is  predicated  upon 
the  circumstance  of  our  meetings  being 
strictly  confined  to  the  members  of  the 
institution.  It  is  supposed,  that  meet- 
ings thus  constituted  and  guarded,  may 
be  used  for  the  purpose  of  concocting 
schemes,  and  maturing  plans  to  o-ive 
success  to  some  political  or  religious 
party,  Avhile  the  rest  of  the  community 
are  kept  in  ignorance  of  what  is  going 
on,  until  the  scheme  is  consummated. 
In  such  meetings  any  plan  may  be 
matured   and   carried   into   execution. 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  63 

before  the  people  mistrust  what  is  go- 
ing on.  And  even  then,  the}^  can  only 
infer  it  from  the  results  which  are  at- 
tained, unless  some  one  turns  traitor. 

It  is  difficult  to  conceiv^e,  how  any 
person,  acquainted  with  the  actual 
state  of  things,  in  regard  to  the  mem- 
bers, can  entertain  such  an  objection 
for  one  moment,  or  even  imagine  how 
any  such  a  combination  could  be  ef- 
fected. What  are  the  facts  ?  The 
members  are  from  all  the  different  po- 
litical and  religious  parties  into  which 
the  people  of  our  country  are  divided. 
Under  these  circumstances,  how  is  it 
possible,  that  a  society  thus  constituted, 
should  be  brought  to  combine  in  favor 
of  any  one  political  or  religious  party  ? 
The  idea  is  utterly  preposterous. 

I  know  indeed,  it  may  be  said,  and 
has  been  said,  that  if  no  combination 
can  be  made  in  favor  of  any  one  politi- 
cal or  religious  party  now  existing,  the 
institution  may  become  itself,  a  politi- 
cal or  religious  combination. 

In  reply,  I  remark,  that  this  is  chang- 
ing the  objection  to  entirely  new 
grounds,  and  placing  it  in  precisely 
the  same  relation  to  society,  as  all 
other  associations  of  individuals.     Nor 


64      AN    EXPOSITION    AISD    DEFENCE 

is  the  objection  any  more  forcible  when 
placed  upon  this  basis.  To  enable  it 
to  accomplish  any  thing  in  this  way, 
there  must  be  a  vmty  of  principle  and 
feeling  among  the  members,  in  refer- 
ence to  the  matter  for  the  interests  of 
which  they  are  to  combine.  If  this  is 
not  the  case,  the  members  will  at  once 
split  up  into  parties,  the  same  as  so- 
ciety is  at  large. 

Now  the  institution  of  Odd-Fellow- 
ship is  not  formed  with  reference  to 
any  party  political  or  religious  opin- 
ions whatever.  Nor  are  members  re- 
ceived on  account  of  agreement  in 
these  particulars.  Men  are  brought 
together  in  our  Lodges,  of  the  most 
discordant  opinions  upon  all  the  sub- 
jects which  agitate  the  public  mind. 
By  what  magical  operation  are  we  to 
so  harmonize  these  conflicting  elements, 
as  to  bring  them  to  act  together  in 
reference  to  any  one  ?  It  is  utterly 
impossible  in  the  very  nature  of  things, 
as  every  one  acquainted  with  human 
nature,  well  knows. 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  65 

4.  It  is  objected  to  the  institution  of 
Odd-Fellowship,  that  its  members  pay 
little  regard  to  their  laws  in  the  manage- 
ment of  its  affairs. 

It  is  admitted  on  all  hands,  that  our 
Constitutions  and  By-Laws,  as  well  as 
the  principles  we  profess,  are  all  good. 
But  it  is  objected,  that  in  despite  of 
this,  they  are  not  carried  out  in  prac- 
tice. While  our  Constitutions  require 
men  to  be  believers  in  the  existence  of 
God,  to  maintain  good  moral  charac- 
ters, and  to  be  men  of  industrious 
habits,  having  some  known  and  lauda- 
ble means  of  support,  it  is  alledged, 
that  men  destitute  of  all  these  qualifi- 
cations are  admitted  and  retain  their 
membership,  and  even  hold  high  offices. 

If  this  be  a  fact,  it  is  nothing  against 
the  imtilution.  A  Judas  was  among 
the  twelve  ;  but  that  is  nothing  against 
Christianit}'.  The  most  that  can  be 
made  out  of  it  is,  that  the  members  are 
unfaithful  to  their  trust. 

But  I  deny  that  there  is  any  de- 
signed disregard  of  our  laws  in  the 
admission  of  members,  or  the  transac- 
tion of  any  other  business.  If  there 
are  any  such  men  among  us,  they  ob- 
tained  admittance  without  their  true 


66  AN    EXPOSITION,    ETC. 

characters  being  discovered.  I  solemn- 
ly declare,  that  I  never  was  connected 
with  an  institution,  where  so  strict  a 
regard  to  its  laws  was  observed,  and 
the  fearlessness  displayed  in  their  en- 
forcement, as  in  that  of  Odd-Fellow- 
ship. 

Such  are  the  principal  objections  that 
have  been  urged  against  the  institu- 
tion of  Odd-Fellowship.  From  what 
has  been  said,  it  appears  to  one  at 
least,  that  every  mind  of  ordinary  in- 
telligence, must  see  how  utterly  futile 
they  are. 


Cljaptcr  1)1 


CONCLUSION 


'I  love  the  friends  who  laugh  with  me 

When  pleasure  decks  my  brow, 
But  dearer  far  that  friend  must  be, 
Who  with  me  weeps  in  sympathy, 
When  grief  has  laid  me  low.' 


From  what  has  been  said,  it  will  be 
seen,  that  the  institution  of  Odd-Fel- 
lowship is  of  a  mixed  character.  In 
its  pecuniary  character,  while  it  gua- 
rantees certain  benefits  to  its  mem- 
bers in  sickness  and  distress,  in  which 
it  has  something  of  the  mutual  insur- 
ance company  about  it,  there  are  other 
features  in  it,  which  mark  and  distin- 
guish it  from  the  insurance  company-, 
and  give  it  the  distinct  and  promi- 
nent features  of  a  social,  moral,  re- 
ligious and  benevolent  institution.  Its 
benevolent  character  is  developed  in 
its  methods  of  operation,  and  the  man- 
ner of  bestowing;  its  benefits,  and  in  its 


68      AN    EXPOSITION    AND     DEFENCE 

provisions  for  the  personal  attentions 
needed  by  the  sick  and  distressed 
brother.  The  sick  brother  must  not 
be  given  up  to  the  care  of  those  who 
are  under  no  other  obligations  to  him, 
than  such  as  are  purchased  with  mo- 
ney ;  but  he  must  have  the  personal 
attention  of  brothers,  except  in  cases 
of  contagious  diseases. 

The  character,  objects,  purposes  and 
method  of  doing  things,  1  think  has 
been  sufficiently  disclosed,  in  the  pre- 
ceding chapters ;  and  it  seems  that 
every  candid  and  reflecting  mind  must 
perceive,  that  the  institution  of  Odd- 
Fellowship  has  a  peculiar  and  impor- 
tant mission  to  perform  in  our  world. 
It  is  manifestly  calculated  and  destined 
to  exert  important  and  beneficial  in- 
fluences upon  the  individual  characters 
of  its  members,  upon  the  great  inter- 
ests of  society,  and  the  character  and 
condition  of  the  human  race.  It  oc- 
cupies a  position  and  meets  a  want 
which  no  other  existing  institution 
does. 

As  has  been  shown,  it  has  so  arran- 
ged the  bestowment  of  its  pecuniary 
benefits,  that  the  feelings  of  the  re- 
cipient may  not  be  injured,  or  be  made 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  69 

to  think  and  feel  that  he  is  an  object 
of  charity,  by  bestowing  them  upon 
all  alike.  Thus  it  cherishes  equality 
of  feeling. 

It  promotes  social  feeling  and  union 
among  good  and  true  men  of  the  most 
discordant  opinions,  by  brino-ing  them 
together  in  a  free  and  friendly  com- 
munion, where  all  their  differences 
must  be  laid  aside,  if  not  forgotten, 
and  presenting  them  to  each  other  as 
men.  And  if  bad  men  get  in  among 
us — men  of  unworthy  characters,  li- 
centious principles  and  vicious  habits 
— it  will  only  serve  the  more  thoroughly 
to  expose  them,  and  the  more  Vvidely 
to  extend  their  unenviable  notoriety. 
So  too,  it  is  exerting  a  refining  and 
elevating  influence,  by  the  dignity  and 
decorum  maintained  in  its  meetings  ; 
by  requiring  and  strictly  enforcing 
kindness  and  courtesy  in  the  language 
used  in  debate ;  and  prohibiting  all 
personal  allusions  and  sarcastic  lan- 
guage. In  this  way  it  aims  to  give 
dignity  to  men's  minds  and  manners, 
and  cause  them  to  have  a  more  tender 
regard  for  one  another's  feelings  in 
their  remarks. 

It  aims,  by  all  its  arrangements,  to 


70      AN    EXPOSITION   AND    DEFENCE 

elevate  and  purify  the  moral  and  re- 
ligious principles  and  characters  of  its 
members  ;  to  make  them  more  exact 
in  their  moral  conduct ;  and  to  lead 
them  to  take  a  more  deep  and  fervent 
interest  in  the  welfare  and  happiness 
of  mankind. 

Jt  is  its  purpose  too,  to  contribute 
something  to  the  increase  of  a  spirit  of 
benevolence  and  charity  in  the  minds 
and  hearts  of  its  members,  by  making 
individuals  better  acquainted  with 
each  other,  and  constantly  calling  their 
minds  to  the  necessities  and  sufferings 
of  the  sick  and  distressed. 

Here  it  may  be  asked,  if  such  are 
the  tendencies  and  effects  of  the  in- 
stitution of  Odd-Fellowship,  why  ex- 
clude any  one  from  participating  in 
these  benefits  ? 

I  answer,  we  exclude  no  man  who 
is,  in  our  opinion,  in  an  intellectual 
and  moral  condition,  to  be  benefited 
in  these  ways.  We  aim  to  prevent 
had  men  from  entering  into  the  institu- 
tion, 1  know  ;  but  it  is  only  because 
their  intellectual  and  moral  condition 
is  such,  that  they  will  derive  no  bene- 
fits from  it  in  these  respects,  while 
thev  will  make   themselves  the   source 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP.  71 

of  constant  trouble  and  vexation  to  the 
fraternity. 

There  is  the  same  opportunity  for 
every  respectable  and  virtuous  man 
in  society,  to  secure  all  these  benefits 
and  the  good  influences  of  our  institu- 
tion and  its  meetings,  that  those  who 
are  now  members  have  had.  There  is 
a  prescribed  method  of  obtaining  these 
things,  which  is  well  known,  and  to 
which  all  members  have  submitted. 
If  they  will  not  submit  to  the  same 
method,  to  obtain  admittance  as  the 
rest  of  us  have,  they  can  blame  no  one 
but  themselves ;  neither  should  any 
one  else  be  blamed  by  society. 

But  it  may  be  asked,  why  we  do  not 
admit  ladies  as  members  !  I  reply,  it 
is  on  account  of  our  gallantry.  Were 
we  any  less  gallant  in  our  feelings  and 
principles,  they  would  be  admitted  as 
members.  I  will  explain.  In  the  first 
place  there  is  considerable  expense  at- 
tending becoming  and  continuing  a 
member  of  our  institution — an  expense 
perhaps  too,  which  few  ladies  could 
well  afford.  In  the  second  place,  we 
conceive,  that  every  lady  is,  is  to  be, 
or  ought  to  be,  married;  that  every  Odd- 
Fellow  should  be  even  as  well  as  odd. 


72      AN    EXPOSITION    AND    DEFENCE 

Acting  upon  these  principles,  we  have 
secured  to  every  brother's  wife,  all  the 
benefits  he  enjoys,  in  a  pecuniary  way 
at  least,  without  requiring-  her  to  con- 
tribute any  thing  ;  and  this,  not  only 
while  he  lives,  but  so  long  as  she  may 
remain  his  widow,  if  such  should  be 
her  misfortune.  In  this  way,  all  la- 
dies who  obtain  such  husbands  as  they 
ought  to  have,  may  become  honorary 
members  of  our  institution,  and  en- 
titled to  its  benefits,  without  assuming 
any  of  its  responsibilities. 

The  institution  of  Odd-Fellowship 
has  lived  through  many  and  dark  days. 
It  has  been  supposed  to  be  dead  since 
its  introduction  into  this  country  ;  but 
it  has  revived  and  flourished  again. 
There  is  an  immortal  energy  in  it,  and 
this  lies  in  the  principles  upon  which 
it  is  based.  These  have  sustained  its 
vitality  in  the  day  of  desolation  and  ap- 
parent ruin,  and  caused  it  again  to 
revive  and  flourish. 

It  is  onl}^  needful  that  the  members 
of  this  institution  be  faithful  to  their 
trust,  like  honest  and  true  men,  that 
it  may  continue  to  prosper  and  grow, 
until  it  has  accomplished  its  mission 
upon  the  earth.     Then  it  must  perish 


OF    ODD-FELLOWSHIP,  73 

like  all  other  human  institutions.  But 
its  principles  will  remain  as  long  as 
the  throne  of  the  Eternal  shall  stand. 
It  is  only  the  forms  which  principles 
take^  that  perish,  or  undergo  a  change. 
Thd  principle  remains  immortal  and 
unchanged- 
Let  the  members  of  the  brotherhood 
remain  faithful  and  true  to  the  princi- 
ples of  the  institution,  both  in  our  as- 
sociated action  and  individual  con- 
duct. Let  the  watchward  be.  Onward  ! 
both  in  our  efforts  in  doing  good  to 
one  another  and  the  world,  and  in  at- 
taining a  full  realization  of  the  great 
ends  at  which  our  institution  aims — 
the  bringing  of  men  together  as  broth- 
ers, and  the  universal  diffusion  of  a 
broader  charity  and  more  generous  and 
liberal  principles  and  conduct  among 
mankind. 

'Onward  ! — through  scenes  of  weal  and  woe, 

Thus  firmly  have  ye  stood, 
Linked  hand  in  hand,  a  glorious  band, 

A  noble  brotherhood  ! 
Who  though  ye  meet  on  foreign  stand, 
Clasp  yet  a  stranger's,  brother^s  hand.' 

SYMBOL. 


;3l|3pcnLik, 


DIRECTORY. 

The  following  List  of  Lodges  in  the 
United  States,  with  the  times  of  their 
meetings,  is  made  as  complete  and  per- 
fect as  the  means  within  the  reach  of  the 
author  would  admit. 


STATE  OF  MAINE. 

GRAND    LODGE, 

Meets  at  Portland  quarterly. 

SUBORDINATE    LODGES. 


1  Maine 

Portland 

Monday 

2  Saco 

do 

Tuesday 

3  Georgian 

Thoniaston 

Monday 

4  Ancient  Brothers 

Portland 

Thursday- 

5  Lisronia 

do 

Saturday 

6  Sabbatis 

Augusta 

Wednesday 

7  Penobscot 

Bangor 

Tuesday 

8  Relief 

East  Thomaston     Friday 

9  Natahnis 

Gardiner 

Friday 

10  Lincoln 

Bath 

Monday 

11  Sacarappa 

Sacarappa 

Wednesday 

12  Kenduskeag 

Bangor 

Monday 

13  Pejepscot 

Brunswick 

Thursday 

14  Cushnoc 

Augusta 

Friday 

15  Passagassawakeag 

Beftast 

Wednesday 

16  Hobomok 

Bath 

Friday 

76 


APPENDIX. 


17  Washington  Hallowell  Monday 

18  Orono  Orono  Saturday 

19  Passamaquoddy  Eastport 

20  Harrison  Harrison  Friday 

21  Somerset  and  FranklinMercer 

22  Androscoggin  Lewiston  Falls       Friday 

DEGREE    LODGE. 


1  Union 


Bangor 


SUBORDINATE    ENCAMPMENTS. 


1  Machigonne 

2  Eastern  Star 
8  Sagamore 

4  Katadhu 

5  Oberlin 

6  Sagadahock 


Portland 

do 
Augusta 
Bangor 
Saco 


1  3  Tuesday 

2  4      Friday 
1  3  Tuesday 


2  4  Tuesday 


STATE  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 


GRAND    LODGE, 


Meets  at  Covenant  Hall,  Boston,  quarterly  on  1st 
Thursday  in  Feb.,  &c. 


SUBORDINATE    LODGES. 


1  Massachusetts 

2  Siloam 

4  New  England 

7  Merrimack 

8  Suffolk 

9  Crystal  Fount 

10  Oriental 

11  Mechanics' 

12  Bethel 

13  Nazarene 

14  Bunker  Hill 

15  Tremont 

16  Covenant 

17  Middlesex 

18  Warren 


Boston  Monday 

do  Thursday 

East  Cambridge  Friday 
Lowell  Monday 

Boston  Tuesday 

Woburn  Monday 

Boston  Wednesday 

Lowell  Friday 

West  Cambridge  Tuesday 
Ware  Village  Monday 
Charlestown  Monday 
Boston  Wednesday 

do  Monday 

Maiden  Wednesday 

Roxbury  Tuesday 


APPENDIX. 


77 


19  Monument 

20  Friendship 

21  Fidelity 

22  Howard 

23  Franklin 

24  Winnisinimet 

25  Boston 

26  Essex 

27  Hampden 

28  Oberlin 

29  Columbian 

30  Bethesda 

31  Lafayette 

32  Ancient  Landmark 
3-3  Montezuma 

34  Hope 

35  Prospect 

36  Maverick 

37  Shawmut 

38  Souhegan 

39  Quascacunquen 

40  Bay  State 

41  Acushnet 

42  Pacific 

43  Quinsigamond 

44  King  Philip 

45  Framingham 

46  Tisquantum 

47  Macedonian 

48  Norfolk 

49  Veritas 

50  Concord 

51  Mystic 

52  Agawam 

53  Hobah 

54  May  Flower 

55  Atlantic 

56  Worcester 

57  Berkshire 

58  Elliot 

59  Takawambait 

60  Harvard 


East  Lexington  Thursday 
Cambridgeport  Monday 
Andover'  Thursday 

Charlesiown  Friday 

Boston  Friday 

Chelsea  Tuesday 

Boston  Friday 

Salem  Monday 

Springfield  Thursday 

Lowell  Tuesday 

Stoneham  Tuesday 

South  Boston  Monday 
Watertown  Thursday 
Boston  Monday 

do  Wednesday 

Methuen  Wednesday 

Waltham  Thursday 

East  Boston  Monday 
Boston  Tuesday 

South  Reading  Monday 
Newburyport  Tuesday 
Lynn  Thursday 

New  Bedford  Wednesday 
Boston  Thursday 

Worcester  Monday 

Taunton  Tuesday 

Saxonville  Wednesday 
Milford  Monday 

Bedford  Wednesday 

Dorchester 

Lowell  Monday 

Concord  Tuesday 

Chelsea  Monday 

Ipswich 

South  Boston  Friday 

Plymouth  Tuesday 

Marblehead 

Worcester  Friday 

Pittsfield 

Newton  Upper  Falls 
Natick  Tuesday 

Harvard  Monda/ 


78 


APPE^DIX. 


61  Nonotuck 

63  Mount  Hope 

64  Shawsheene 

65  Golden  Rule 


Northampton 
Fall  River 
Billerica 
Wilmington 


Monday 
Thursday 


DEGREE   LODGES. 

Boston 


Union  Boston  Saturday 

2  Maverick  East  Boston       Thursday 

3  Warren  Roxbury  2  4  Friday 

4  United  Brothers  South  Boston 

2  Monday  and  4  Friday 

5  Union  Lowell         1  3  Thursday 

GRAND    ENCAMPMENT. 

Meets  at  Boston  semi-annually,  on  Wednesdays 
next  preceding  Jst  Thursday  in  August  and  Sep- 
tember. 

SUBORDINATE    ENCAMPMENTS. 


1  Massasoit 

2  Tri  Mouiit 

3  Menotomy 

4  Monomake 

5  Bunker  Hill 

6  Mount  Washington 

7  Merrimack 


Boston  1  3  Friday 

do  2  4  Friday 

W.  Cambridge  2  4  Friday 
Lowell  2  4  Thursday 
Charlestown  13Wednes. 
South  Boston  2  4  Thurs. 
Newburyport 


STATE  OF  NEW  HAMPSHIRE. 


GRAND   LODGE. 

Meets  quarterly  at  Concord. 

SUBORDINATE   LODGES. 

1  Granite  Nashua 

2  Hillsboro'  Manchester 

3  Wecohamot 

4  Washington 

5  White  Moimtain 

6  Piscataqua 

7  Winniyissiogee 


Dover 

Somerworlh 
Concord 
rortsmouth 


Tuesday 
Monday 
Tuesday 
Tuesday 
Friday 
Monday 


Meredith  Bridge  Tuesday 


APPENDIX. 


79 


SUBORDINATE    ENCAMPMENTS. 


1  Naslioonon 

2  Wouolanset 

3  Penacook 

4  duocheco 

5  Strawberry  Bank 


1  3  Friday 

2  4  Friday 


Nashua 

Manchester 

Concord 

Dover  2  4  Monday 

Portsmouth   2  4    Friday 


VERMONT. 

1  Green  Mountain  Burlington  Tuesday 


STATE    OF  CONNECTICUT. 

GRAND    LODGE, 

Meets  at  New  Haven  semi-annually ;  on  the  2d 
Wednesday  cf  July  and  2d  Wednesday  of  January, 


SUBORDINATE    LODGES. 


1  Q,ninnipiac 

New  Haven 

2  Charter  Oak 

Hartford 

3  Middlesex 

EastHaddam 

4  Pequennock 

Bridgeport 

5  Harmony 

New"  Haven 

6  Ousatonic 

Derby 

7  Samaritan 

Danburv 

8  Mercantile 

Hartford 

9  Thames 

New  London 

■lO  Our  Brothers 

Norwaik 

U  Uncas 

Norwich 

12  Central 

Middletown 

13  Charity 

Lower  Mystic 

14  W^opowage 

Milford 

15  Montawese 

New  Haven 

16  Washington 

AVillimantic  V 

17  Trumbull 

New  Loudon 

18  Nathan  Hale 

Tolland 

Alonday 

Tuesday 

Wednesday 

Tuesday 

Tuesday 

Monday 

Wednesday 

Friday 

Monday 

Monday 

Monday 

Thursday 

W^ednesday 

Wednesday 

Wednesday 

il.  Saturday 

Tuesday 

Wednesday 


80 


APPENDIX- 


GRAND    ENCAMPMENT, 

Meets  at  New  Haven  semi-annually. 

SUBORDINATE    ENCAMPMENTS. 

1  Sassacas  New  Haven      1  3  Friday 

2  Oriental  East  Haddam  2  4  Friday 


8  Palmyra 

4  Unity 

5  Souheag 

6  Devotion 

7  Midian 


Norwich  1  3  Friday 

New  London  2  4  Thurs. 
Middleton  1  3  Tuesday 
Danbury  1  3  Friday 

Hartford 


STATE  OF  RHODE  ISLAND. 

GRAND    LODGE, 

Meets  at  Providence  quarterly. 

SUBORDINATE    LODGES. 


1  Friendly  Union 

Providence 

Thursday 

2  Eagle 

do 

W^ednesdaV 

3  Roger  Williams 

do 

Tuesday 

4  Hope 

do 

Monday 

5  Ocean 

Newport 

Friday 

6  Amity 

Warren 

SUBORDINATE    ENCAMPMENT. 

1  Narraganset  Providence       2  4  Friday 


STATE  OF  NEW  YORK. 

GRAND   LODGE, 

Meets  in  the  City  of  New  York  quarterly,  at 
National  Hall. 

SUBORDINATE    LODGES. 

1  Columbia  New  York  Thursday 

5  Hope  Albany  Tuesday 


APPENDIX. 


81 


5  Philanthropic 

8  Union 

9  Tompkins 

10  New  York 

11  Geltys 

12  Washington 

13  Germania 

14  Teutonia 

16  German  Colonial 

18  LaFayetie 

19  Firemen's 

20  Manhattan 

21  Poughkeepsie 

22  Knickerbocker 

23  Mariner's 

24  Franklin 

25  Niagara 

26  Brooklyn 

27  Trojan 

28  Ark 

29  Star 

30  National 

31  Olive  Branch 

32  American 

33  Metropolitan 

34  Marion 

35  Covenant 

36  Enterprize 

37  Buffalo 

38  Watervliet 

39  Nassau 

40  Greenwich 

41  Phcenix 

42  Meridian 

43  Concorde 

44  Harmony 

45  Kings  County 

46  Jefferson 

47  Mercantile 

48  Tehoseroron 

49  Hancock 
60  Atlantic 


Albany  Friday- 
Albany  Thursday- 
New  York  Tuesday 
do  Wednesday 
do  Tuesday 
do  Tuesday- 
New  York  Friday 
do  Monday 
Albany  Monday 
Chaningville  Thursday- 
Albany  Thursday 
New  York  Monday 
Poughkeepsie        Monday 
New  York  Thursday 
do  Monday 
Trov  Wednesday- 
Buffalo  Monday 
Brooklyn  Tuesday- 
Troy  Monday 
New  York  Wednesday 
Lansingburgh       Tuesday 
New  York  Monday 
do  Wednesday 
Albany  Wednesday 
New  York  Thursday 
do  Thursday 
do  Thursday 
do  Thursday 
Buffalo  Tuesday 
West  Trey  Monday 
Brooklvn  Thursday 
New  York  Monday 
Albany  Wednesday 
New  York  Wednesday 
do  Tuesday 
do  Monday 
Williamsburgh    Wednes. 
New  York  Tuesday 
do  Tuesday 
Buffalo  Thursday 
New  York  Wednesday 
Brooklyn  Monday 


APPENDIX. 


51  Genesee 

52  United  Brothers 

53  Rensselaer 

54  Whitehall 

55  Coiirtlandt 

56  Halcyon 

57  Mutual 

58  Grove 

59  Dutchess 

60  Howard 

61  Williamsburgh 

62  Spartan 

63  Long  Island 

64  Empire 

65  Highland 

66  Fulton 

67  Commercial 

68  Oriental 

69  Teoronto 

70  Oneida 

71  Ithaca 

72  Mohawk  Valley 

73  Mount  Vernon 

74  Orange  County 

75  Cryptic 

76  Rockland  County 

77  Westchester 

78  Croton 

79  Onondaga 

80  Cayuga 

81  Jamaica 

82  German  Oak 

83  Piermont 

84  Chelsea 

85  Pacific 

86  Kosciusco 

87  Fidelity 

88  Richmond  Co., 

89  Putnam 

90  Suffolk 

91  Fishkill 
82  Allen 


Rochester 

New  York 

Troy 

Whitehall 

Peekskill 

Troy 

New  York 

do 
Poughkeepsie 
New  York 
Williamsburi 
Cohoes 
Wallabout 
New  York 
Newburgh 
Brooklyn 
New  York 

do 
Rochester 
Utica 
Ithaca 
Schenectady 
New  York 
Newbursh 
Peekskill 
Ilaverstraw 
Tarry  I  own 
New  York 
Syracuse 
Auburn 
Jamaica 
New  York 
Piermont 
New  York 
Flushing 
Kingston 
New  York 
Factoryville 
West  Farms 
Sag  Harbor 
Fishkill 
Hudson 


Friday 

Tuesday 

Tuesday 

Thursday 

Wednesday 

Thursday 

Monday 

Thursday 

Wednes. 

Wednesday 

:h    Tuesday 

Friday 

Friday 

Tuesday 

Wednesday 

W^ednesday 

Tuesday 

Thursday 

Monday 

Thursday 

Friday 

Monday 

Friday 

Wednesday 

Friday 

Thursday 

Monday 

Wednesday 

Friday 

Thursday 

Tuesday 

Friday 

Tuesday 

Friday 

Monday 

Wednesday 

Friday 

Wednesday 

Thursday 

Monday 

Saturday 


APPENDIX. 


93  Samariiaa 

94  Eagle 

95  Skenandoah 

96  Rising  Sim 

97  Ossinsiu 
93  Saratoga 
99  St.  Paul's 

100  Wyoming 

101  CinciiiUtitus 

102  Ka\  aderossaros 

103  Otsego 

104  Slanwix 

105  Washington  Co., 

106  Silver  Lake 

107  Hinman 

108  Hughsonville 

109  Syracuse 

110  Waverly 

111  Owasco 

112  Midclletown 

113  Mechanics' 

114  Chenango 

115  Rome 

116  Ontario 

117  Continental 

118  Genesee  Valley 

119  LeRoy 

120  Cold  Spring 

121  Cataract 

122  Union  Village 

123  Canaseraga 

124  Black  River 

125  Van  Fpps 

126  Excelsior 

127  Chemung 

128  Morning  Star 

129  Schiller 

130  Chantauque 

131  Evergreen 

132  Tiickahannock 

133  Stubeu 

134  Amsterdam 


Albany  Monday 

Brooklyn  Monday 

TJtica  Friday 

Lansingburgh  Wednesday 
Sing  Sing  Friday 

Saratoga  Springs  Tuesday 
Schenectady  Tuesday 
Attica  Friday 

Batavia 

Ballston  Spa  Friday 

Cooperstown, 
Andover,  Onei.   Wednes. 
Hartford  Wednesday 

Perry  Saturday 

New  York  Monday 

Hughsonville 
Syracuse 

Waterford  Tuesday 

Port  Byron 
Middletown 

New  York  Friday 

Oxford 

Rome  Tuesday 

Canandaigua  Wednesday 
New  York       Wednesday 
Mount  Morris    Thursday 
Le  Roy 
Cold  Spring 
Lockport 

Union  Village       Monday 
Dausville,  Liv. 
Watertown        Thursday 
Vernon,  Onei.       Monday 
New  York  Friday 

Elmina 

Chatham  F.  C,    Wednes, 
New  York 
Fredonia 
Fish  kill  Landing 
Trumansburg 
Brookl\  n 
Amsterdam 


84 


APPENDIX. 


136 

135  Adiroudack 

137  Valatic 

13S  Chester 

139 

140  Dimona 

141  Hempstead 

142  Madison 

143  Seneca 

144  Protection 

145  Towanda 

146  Brutus 

147  Schyler 

148  Wayne 

149  Keuka 

150  Merchants 


Vienna 

Keesville 

Valatic 

Chester 

Medina 

New  York 

Hempstead 

Oneda  Depot 

Geneva 

Roslyn 

Alexander 

Weeds  Port 

Utica 

Palmyra 

Pen  Yan 

New  York 

DEGREE   LODGES. 


1  New  York 

2  Bowery 

3  Erie 

4  Hudson 

5  United  Brothers 

6  Clinton 

7  Rensselaer 

8  Ridgeley 

9  Dutchess 

10  Selby 

11  Albany  City 

12  Monroe 

13  Franklin 

14  Washington 

15  Excelsior 

16  Harmony 

17  Kennedy 

18  Utica 

19  Treadwell 


New  York       Wednesday 
do  Friday 

Buffalo  Wednesday 

New  York  Saturday 

do  Wednesday 

do  Saturday 

Troy  Wednesday 

Troy  Friday 

Channingville  Saturday 
Poughkeepsie  Friday 
Albany  Saturday 

Rochester  Tuesday 

Brooklyn  Friday 

Williaragburgh  Thursday 
Albany  1  and  3  Friday 
Lansingburgh  Tuesday 
Ithaca  Friday 

Utica  2  4  Tuesday 

Syracuse 


GRAND    ENCAMPMENT, 


Meets  semi-annually,  in  the  City  of  New  York, 
on  the  Mondays  following  the  first  Wednesdays  in 
August  and  February. 


APPENDIX.                                85 

SUBORDINATE 

;    ENCAMPMENTS, 

2  Mt.  Hebron 

New  York       2  4  Friday 

3  Mount  Sinai 

do              1  3  Friday 

4  Troy 

Troy                  1  3  Friday 

5  En-hakkore 

Albany              2  4  Friday 

6  Mosaic 

New  York        1  3  Friday 

7  Salem 

Brooklyn          2  4  Friday 

8  Mount  Vernon 

Buffalo              1  3  Friday 

9  Palestine 

New  York  2  4  Thursday 

10  Mount  Olive 

Williamsburgh  1  3  Thurs. 

11  Mount  Hope 

Rochester    1  3  Thursday 

12  Mount  Horeb 

New  York   2  4    Monday 

13  Mohawk 

Schenectady    2  4  Friday 

14  Mount  Nebo 

Syracuse         1  3  Monday 

15  Olive  Branch 

Lansingburgh  2  4  Friday 

16  Mount  Arrarat 

Peekskill       2  4  Tuesday 

17  Union 

Hudson         2  4  Tuesday 

STATE  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

GRAND    LODGE. 

Meets  at  Philadelphi 

a  bi-monthly. 

SUBORDINATE    LODGES. 

1  Pennsylvania 

Philadelphia   Wednesday 

2  Washington 

do                Tuesday 

3  Wayne 

do                  Monday 

4  Morning  Star 

do                     Friday 

5  Franklin 

do                Thursday 

6  General  Marion 

do                    Friday 

7  Herman 

North  Liberties   Tuesday 

8  Rising  Sun 

9  Mech&nics' 

Frankford            Saturday 

Pittsburgh           Thursday 

10  Philomatheon 

Germantown       Saturday 

11  Kensington 

N,  Liberties    Wednesday 

13  Philadelphia 

Philadelphia   Wednesday 

14  Wildey 

Frankford            Saturday 

15  Philanthropic 

Philadelphia        Saturday 

18  LaFayette 

do              Thursday 

y(3 


APPENDIX. 


19  Amity 

20  Miners' 

21  Teutonia 

23  Friendship 

24  Western  (star 

26  Penn 

27  Schuylkill 

28  HeneosisAdelphian 

29  Robert  Morris 
31  Manayunk 

33  Decatur 
40  Benevolent 

43  Hancock 

44  Hayden 

45  WiUiam  Tell 
53  Girard 

55  Independence 

56  Social 

57  Montgomery 

58  Cambria 

59  Montgomery 

60  Concordia 

61  Adam 

62  Beaver  Meadow 

63  Hand-in-Hand 

64  Gomer 

65  Hazleton 

66  Roxborough 

67  Lancaster 

68  Harrisburgh 

69  Peace  and  Plenty 

70  State  Capitol 

71  Allen 

72  Evening  Star 

73  Delaware 

74  Mount  Ziou 

75  Columbus 

76  Mauch  Chunk 

77  Brotherly  Love 

78  Keystone 

79  Howard 

80  Susquehanna 


do  Thursday 

Pottsville  Saturday 

Philadelphia  Monday 

do  Tuesday 

Pittsburgh  Monday 

N.  Liberties  Monday 

Port  Carbon  Tuesday 
N.  Liberties  Thursday 
Philadelphia  Wednesday 
Manayunk  Saturday 

Philadelphia  Wednesday 
Vil.  Green  i:«fe3  Saturday 
Philadelphia  Friday 

Pottsville  Thursday 

Pittsburg  Saturday 

Pottsville  Friday 

Philadelphia  Thursday 
Minersville  Saturday 

Norristown  Saturday 

Carbondale  Saturday 

Reading  Thursday 

Catawissa  1&3  Saturday 
Philadelphia  Monday 

Beaver  Meadow  Saturday 
Philadelphia  Tuesday 
Birmingham  Saturday 
Hazleton  Saturday 

Roxborough  Saturday 
Lancaster  Thursday 

Harrisburgh  Wednesday 
Easton  Wednesday 

Harrisburgh  Tuesday 
Allentown  Saturday 

Milestown  Saturday 

Easton  Tuesday 

York  Wednesday 

Chambersburgh  Thursday 
Mauch  Chunk  Tuesday 
Kurtztown  Saturday 

Bethlehem  Thursday 

Honesdale  Wednesday 
Columbia  Saturday 


APPENDIX. 


87 


81  National 

82  Charity 

83  Lehigh 

84  Friendly 

85  Mutual 

86  Harmony  Lodge 
37  Hopkins 

88  Freedom 

89  Good  Samaritan 

90  Cumberland 

91  Carlisle 

92  Chester 

93  Hope 

94  Doylestown 

95  Schiller 

96  Levvisburg 

97  Lewis  town 

98  Clinton 

99  Spring  Garden 

100  Chosen  Friends 

101  Jersey  Shore 

102  Newport 

103  Symmetry 


Washington 

Halifax 

Allentown 

Mi  Her  town 

Milton 

Tamaqua 

Bristol 

Prompton 

Southwark 

Shippensburg 

Carlisle 

Chester 

Southwark 

Hovlestown 

N.  Liberties 

Lewisburg 

Lewistown 

Lockhaven 


Thursday 
Saturday 
Saturday 
Wednesday 
Wednesday- 
Monday 
Wednesday 
Thursday 
Wednesday 
Tuesday 
Monday 
Saturday 
Friday 
Monday 
Wednesday 
Wednesday 
Thursday 
Thursday 


Spring  Garden   Thursday 
N.  Liberties    Wednesday 
Jersey  Shore  Wednesday 
Newport 
Hamburg 


GRAND   ENCAMPMENT, 

Meets  at  Philadelphia  bi-monthly. 

SUBORDINATE   ENCAMPMENTS. 


1  Philadelphia 

2  Pittsburgh 

3  Morning  Star 

4  Franklin 

5  LaFayette 

6  Mount  Olive 
?  Walhala 

8  Hebron 

9  Andrew  Jackson 
10  Dauphin 


Philadelphia 
Pittsburgh  1 
Frankford  1  3 
Pottsville  1 
Philadelphia 
Kensington 
Kensington 
Reading  1 
Manyunk  1 
Harrisburgh 


1  &  3  Tues. 
3  Saturday 
Wednesday 
3  Saturday 
1  3  Fridav 

1  3  Friday 

2  4  Friday 

3  Saturday 
3  Saturday 
1  3  Friday 


88 


APPENDIX. 


STATE  OF  NEW  JERSEY. 


GRAND    LODGE. 


Meets  at  Trenton  quarterly. 


SUBORDINATE    LODGES. 


1  Trenton 
4  Concordia 

6  New  Brunswick 

7  Howard 

8  Newark 

9  Franklin 

10  Nassau 

11  Friendship 

12  LayFayette 

13  Covenant 

14  Hudson 

15  Leni  Lenape 

16  Bordentown 

17  Madison 

18  Clinton 

19  Mount  Holly 

20  Monmouth 

21  Washington 


Trenton  Tuesday 

do  Wednesday 

N.  Brunswick     Tuesday 

Newark 
do 

Elizabethtown 

Princeton 


Newark 

Orange 

Belvidere 

.Jersev  Citv 

Lambertville 

Bordentown 

A  lien  town 

Clinton 

Mount  Holly  Wednesday 

Freehold  Wednesday 

Salem  Wednesday 


Monday 

Friday 

Monday 

Thursday 

Thursday 

Thursday 

Thursday 

Monday 

Tuesday 

Monday 

Thursday 

Monday 


GRAND    ENCAMPMENT. 

Meets  at  Newark  semi-annually. 

SUBORDINATE    ENCAMPMENTS. 

2  Trenton  Trenton       1  3  Thursday 

3  Mount  Arrarat  Newark   1  3  Wednesday 

4  Olive  Branch  Trenton            1  3  Friday 

5  Mount  Sinai  Jersey  City    1  3  Monday 
8  Raritan  New  Brunswick 


STATE  OF  MARYLAND. 

SUBORDINATE    LODGES. 

1  Washington  Baltimore  Monday 

2  Franklin  do  Thursday 

3  Columbia  do  Wednesday 


APPENDIX. 

89 

4  William  Tell 

do 

Tuesday 

5  Gratitude 

do 

Monday 

6  Harmony 

do             Wednesday 

7  Friendship 

do 

Thursday 

8  Marion 

do 

Tuesday 

9  Jefferson 

do 

Thursday 

16  Union 

do 

Thursday 

18  Miller 

Easton 

Saturday 

20  Morning  Star 

Havre-de-Grace  Saturday 

24  Mount  Pisgah 

Port  Deposite 

Tuesday 

26  Mt.  Vernon 

Abingdon 

Saturday 

29  Philip  Read 

Chestertown 

Monday 

31  Potomac 

Hagerstown 

Tuesday 

32  Mt.  Moriah 

Clear  Spring 

Thursday 

33  Aaron 

Williamsport 

Friday 

34  Chosen  Friends 

Cumberland 

Friday 

35  Adam 

Frederick 

Tuesday 

36  La  Grange 

Sharpburgh 

Saturday 

37  Covenant 

Hancock 

Thursday 

3S  Benevolent 

Middletown 

Saturday 

39  Neilson 

Hillsborough 

Saturday 

40  Centre 

Ellicott's  Mills 

Saturday 

SUBORDINATE   ENCAMPMENTS. 

1  Jerusalem 

Baltimore 

Friday 

2  Salem 

do 

Tuesday 

3  Zion 

Cambridge 

Tuesday 

4  Jacob 

Easton 

Tuesday 

5  Bethlehem 

Chestertown 

Tuesday 

6  Galena 

Hagerstown 

Tuesday 

7  Mt.  C  arm  el 

Cumberland 

Tuesday 

8  Evening  Star 

Havre-de-Grace  Tuesday 

DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 

GRAND    LODGE, 

Meets  at  Washington  quarterly. 

SUBORDINATE    LODGES. 

1  Central 

7 

Washington 

Friday 

90 

APPENDIX. 

6  Washington 

do 

Tuesday 

7  Eastern 

do 

Friday 

8  Potomac 

Alexandria 

Monday 

9  Harmony 

Washington 

Monday 

10  Columbia 

do 

Thursday 

11  Union 

do 

Wednesday 

12  Friendship 

do 

Thursday 

13  Covenant 

do 

Monday 

SUBORDINATE   ENCAMPMENTS. 

1  Columbia  Washington  lastjWednes, 

2  Marley  Alexandria      2  4  Monday 


STATE 

OF  VIRGINIA. 

GRAND   LODGE, 

Meets  at  Richmond  semi-annually. 

SUBORDINATE   LODGES. 

1  Virginia  Lodge 

Harper's  Ferry 

Monday 

2  Washington 

Norfolk 

Monday 

3  Virginius 

Wheeling 

Monday 

4  Jefferson 

Richmond 

Monday. 

5  Old  Dominiou 

Portsmouth 

Friday 

6  Madison 

Winchester     Wednesday 

7  Union 

Richmond 

Friday 

8  Monroe 

Petersburgh 

Monday 

9  La  Fayette 

Norfolk 

Monday 

10  Friendship 

Richmond 

Friday 

11  Wildey 

Charlestown 

Saturday 

12  Powhatan 

Richmond       Wednesday 

13  Franklin 

Wheeling 

Monday 

14  Rappahannock 

Fredericksburgh  Monday 

15  Patrick  Henry 

Hampton 

Saturday 

16  Appomattox     . 

Petersburg 

Friday 

17  Lynchburg 

Lynchburg 

Thursday 

18  St.  Paul's 

Princess  Anne( 

c.H.  Thur 

19  Harmony 

Norfolk 

Tuesday 

20  Smithfield 

Smithfield 

Monday 

21  Maffit 

Martinsburg 

Saturday 

APPENDIX.  91 

22  Pythagoras  Lynchburg  Friday 

23  Caledonia  Shepherdstown  Saturday 

24  Gratitude  Hedgesville        Thursday 

GRAND   ENCAMPMENT, 

Meets  at  Portsmouth  annually. 

SUBORDINATE  ENCAMPMENTS. 

1  Abrams  Wheeling 

2  Neilson  Richmond 

3  Wildey  Portsmouth  2  4  Thursday 

4  Jerusalem  Norfolk 

5  Widow's  Friend  Winchester 

7  Glazier  Petersburg 

8  Virginia  Lynchburg 
10  Salem  Hampden 


STATE  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

GRAND   LODGE, 

Meets  at  Wilmington,  quarterly. 

SUBORDINATE   LODGES. 

1  Weldon  Weldon  Tuesday 

2  Cape  Fear  Wilmington         Tuesday 

3  Washington  Murfreesboro'         Friday 

SUBORDINATE  ENCAMPMENTS. 

1  Campbell  Wilmington 

2  Bain  Murfreesboro' 

3  Pine  FayetteviUe 


STATE  OF  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

GRAND   LODGE, 

Meets  at  Charleston,  quarterly. 

GRAND   ENCAMPMENT, 

Meets  at  Charleston. 


92                               APPENDIX. 

SUBORDINATE   LODGES. 

1  South  Carolina             Charleston      Wednesday 

2  Marion                                    do                     Friday 

3  Howard                                  do                Thursday 

4  Jefferson                                do                  Tuesday 

5  Palmetto,                      Columbia                 Friday 

6  De  Kalb                          Winsboro'             Monday 

7  Aiken                             Aiken               Wednesday 

8  La  Fajelte                    Chesterville          Monday 

SUBORDINATE   ENCAMPMENTS. 

1  Palmetto                       Charleston 

2  Eutaw                            Columbia 

3  Ashley                          Charleston 

STATE  OF  GEORGIA. 

GRAND   LODGE, 

Meets  at  Savannah. 

SUBORDINATE   LODGES. 

1  Oglethorpe                    Savannah 

2  Franklin                        Macon 

3  Live  Oak                       Savannah 

4  Sylvan                          Milledgeville 

5  United  Brothers           Macon 

6  Muscogee                       Columbus 

7  Washington                 Augusta 

SUBORDINATE    ENCAMPMENTS. 

1  Magnolia                       Savannah 

2  Ockmulgee                    Milledgeville 

3  Franklin                         Macon 

4  Chattahooche               Columbus 

STATE  OF  ALABAMA. 

GRAND   LODGE, 

Meets  at  Mobile,  quarterly. 


APPENDIX. 


9S 


SUBORDINATE   LODGES. 

1  Alabama  Mobile 


2  Mobile  do 

3  Chosen  Friends  do 

4  Samaritan  

SUBORDINATE    ENCAMPMENT. 

1  Mount  Arrarat  Mobile 


Tuesday 
Wednesday 
Thursday 


Friday 


STATE  OF  MISSISSIPPI. 


GRAND    LODGE, 

Meets  at  Natchez, 

quarterly. 

SUBORDINATE    LODGES. 

1  Mississippi 

Natchez 

2  Washington 

do 

.3  Warren 

Vicksburgh 

6  Grenada 

Grenada 

8  Macon 

Vicksburgh 

9  William  Dale 

Liberty 

10  Wilkinson 

Woodville 

n  Capitol 

Jackson 

12  Concordia 

Natchez 

13  Belmont 

Belmont 

Wednesday 

Thursday 

Thursday 

Friday 

Wednesday 

Wednesday 

Wednesday 

Thursday 


SUBORDINATE   ENCAMPMENTS. 

1  Wildey  Natchez 

2  Vicksburgh  Vicksburgh 


STATE  OF  MISSOURI. 

GRAND   LODGE, 

Meets  at  St.  Louis,  quarterly. 

SUBORDINATE   LODGES. 

1  Traveller's  Rest  St.  Louis 

2  Wildey  do 


Monday 
Tuesday 


94 

APPENDIX. 

3  Germania 

do 

Thursday 

4  Far  West 

Boonville 

Mondav 

5  St.  Louis 

St.  Louis 

Saturday 

6  Western  Lighl 

t               Weston 

Saturday 

7  Covenant 

Warsaw 

8  Harrison 

Lexington 

9  Marion 

Hanibal 

10  Howard 

Fayette 

ENCAMPMENTS. 

1  Wildey 

St.  Louis 

Friday 

2  Frontier 

Weston 

STATE  OF  TENNESSEE. 

GRAND   LODGE, 

Meets  at  Nashville,  quarterly. 

1  Tennessee  Nashville  Tuesday 

2  Nashville  Nashville  Thursday 

3  Columbia  Columbia  Wednesday 

4  Spring  Hill  Spring  Hill  Thursday 

5  Washington  Dresden  Saturday 

6  Memphis  Memphis  Thursday 

SUBORDINATE    ENCAMPMENTS. 

1  Ridgely  Ridgely      2  &  4  Saturday 

2  Washington  Columbia  2  &  4  Saturday 

3  Gayoso  Memphis 


STATE  OF  KENTUCKY. 

GRAND   LODGE, 

Meets  at  Louisville  quarterly. 

SUBORDINATE   LODGES. 

1  Boone  Louisville  Monday 

2  Chosen  Friends  do  Tuesday 

3  Washington  Covington       Wednesday 


APPENDIX. 

95 

4  Loraine 

Louisville 

Wednesday 

5  Friendship 

Lexington 

Friday 

6  Capital 

Frankfort 

Monday 

7  Franklin 

Lancaster 

Saturday 

8  Central 

Danville 

Tuesday 

9  Social 

Stanford 

Wednesday 

10  Union 

Nicholasville 

Saturday 

11  Lavfavette 

Georgetown 

Tuesday 

12  De"  Kalb 

Maysville 

Monday 

13  Stranger's  Rest 

Henderson 

Saturday 

14  Madison 

Richmond 

Tuesday 

15  Howard 

Shelbvville 

16  Morning  Star 

Petersburg 

17  Herman 

Louisville 

Saturday 

GRAND    ENCAMPMENTS. 

Meets  at  Louisville  quarterly. 

SOBOEDINATE    ENCAMPMENTS. 

1  Mount  Horeb  Louisville  1  and  3  Monday 


2  Olive  Branch 

Covington  1  &  4  Monday 

3  Moreah 

Lexington  1  A:  3  Thursday 

4  Filgrim 

Frankfort  1  &  3  Thursday 

STATE 

OF  OHIO. 

GRAND   LODGE. 

Meets  at  Cincinnati 

rnnnth 

on  the  3d  Saturday  in  every 

LUUiltli*    , 

SUBORDINATE   LODGES. 

1  Ohio 

Cincinnati 

Monday 

2  Washington 

do 

_  Tuesday 

3  Cincinnati 

do 

Wednesday 

4  Franklin 

do 

Thursday 

5  Montgomery 

Dayton 

Wednesday 

6  Jefferson 

Steubenville 

Thursday 

7  Charity 

Lancaster 

Monday 

8  Piqua 

Piqua 

Thursday 

9  Columbus 

Columbus 

Monday 

96 


APPENDIX. 


10  Wayne 

11  Warren 

12  Union 

13  Cleveland 

14  Harmony 

15  Lebanon 

16  Hope 

17  Hamilton 

18  Marion 

19  Mansfield 

20  Mount  Vernon 

21  Friendship 

22  Cuyahoga 

23  Central 

24  Chillicothe 

25  LaFayette 

26  Morning  Star 

27  Erie 

28  Muskingum 

29  Mahoning 

30  Eaton 

31  Scioto 

32  Columbia 

33  Springfield 

34  Olive  Branch 

35  Seneca 


Dayton  Tuesday 

Franklin  Monday 

Wanenton  Saturday 

Cleveland  Monday 

Rossville  Tuesday 
Lebanon          Wednesday 

Middletown  Thursday 

Hamilton  Thursday 

Miamisburg  Tuesday 

Mansfield  Friday 

Mount  Vernon  Wednes. 

Germantown  Friday 
Cleveland        Wednesday 

Columbus  Thursday 

Chillicothe  Tuesday 

Hillsborough  Monday 


Medina 

Ohio  Citv 

Zanesville 

Warren 

Eaton 

Portsmouth 

Circleville 

Springfield 

New^ark 

Tiffin 


Monday 
Tuesday 

Wednesday 

Mondav' 

Monday 

Fridav 

Wednesday 


Tliursday 


SUBORDINATE   ENCAMPMENTS. 


1  Wildey 

2  Dayton 

3  Nimrod 

4  Cleveland 

5  Piqua 

6  Capitol 

7  Butler 


Cincinnati 

Dayton 

Steubenville 

Cleveland 

Piqua 

Columbus 

Hamilton 


1  3  Friday 

1  3  Eriday 

2  4  Friday 
2  4  Friday 
2  4  Friday 

1  3  Friday 

2  4  Friday 


UCSB  LIBRARY 


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